How much money does Atlético Madrid’s’s head coach make? Diego Simeone’s contract details
The Argentinean has spent 14 years at the helm with Atlético Madrid and for many years has been the highest coach in Spain’s top flight.
Longevity isn’t a word you would usually associate with the cut-throat world of football managers - unless you are Diego Simeone.
Simeone is the longest-serving coach in Atlético Madrid’s 122-year history and the second longest-serving, currently active in Europe’s major leagues.
El Cholo, part of the wallpaper at Atleti
He took over as Atleti coach in December 2011, as Gregorio Manzano’s successor, and has been there ever since. He is so deeply entrenched in the post, it’s hard to envisage anyone ever replacing him.
Initially agreeing a two-year deal, Simeone’s impact was felt almost immediately, within just a few months he delivered the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup. Atlético handed him a four-year extension and upped his salary to $5.9 million.
Simeone’s payday
The next contract extension came in September 2017, adding two years onto his existing deal and quadrupling his salary to make him the best-paid coach in LaLiga and one of the top earners in Europe. Simeone signed similar extensions in 2019 and 2021, negotiating salary increases on both occasions.
At his peak, El Cholo was earning around $36.5 million per year before tax (around $18 million net). But he agreed to take a pay cut in his last extension, signed in November 2023, in favor of a longer contract.
Simeone will stay on until June 30, 2027 and receives an annual pay packet of around $27.7 million which works out at $14 million net. He is also entitled to a bonus of almost $3 million if Atleti win LaLiga or the Champions League.
Elusive European crown
The Rojiblancos have never won the Champions League despite having reached three finals. This season’s tournament is probably Simeone’s best chance of getting his hands on that $3 million bonus payment.
Atleti are just three games away from Champions League glory. Having seen off Barcelona in the last round, they face Arsenal for a place in the final in Budapest on May 30.
In his 792 games in charge, Simeone has racked up 468 victories - a win rate of around 59%. His silverware includes two LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey, one Spanish Supercup, two Europa Leagues and two UEFA Super Cups. Adding the Champions League to that list would be a dream come true.
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