Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone says he is open to job in Saudi Arabia

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has confirmed that he is open to taking a job in Saudi Arabia in the future. The Argentine manager has been at Atletico for 14 years, and it seems every new year brings with it a period of speculation on when his marathon run will come to an end.

Simeone has been questioned over the years for his ability to ensure Los Colchoneros are competing for the title. Given their resources are so much larger than every side below third, and so much lower than Real Madrid and Barcelona’s, success has become difficult for Atletico.

When he does depart, Simeone has admitted that he would like to coach Serie A giants and former club Inter. Ahead of the Spanish Supercup semi-final against Real Madrid, Simeone did not rule out working in Saudi Arabia either.

“As coaches, we never close doors; football and life can constantly change. From my perspective, I don’t close any doors,” he told Diario AS.

The Juli we need pic.twitter.com/sA2LzZrmGh

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) January 8, 2026

Atletico Madrid President backs Simeone

Now 11 points off the pace in La Liga, Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo backed Simeone’s work while speaking to Cadena Cope. Plans are in place to offer El Cholo a contract extension in the near future.

“Well, we only have one, because he’s good, because he’s very good, because he does it very well, because he gives us titles, he gives us victories and, above all, because we want him to continue.”

Simeone on Julian Alvarez form

Another of the major talking points at Atletico amid their mixed results is the form of Julian Alvarez. Their marquee signing from 18 months ago has not scored in La Liga in the last two months.

“It’s handled differently, depending on how each person interprets it,” Simeone explained.

“Sometimes there’s no need to talk, just approach them; other times we approach them and talk about things that aren’t about football, but about life, which are also important. We handle things naturally, understanding that beyond a footballer there’s a person, and the important thing is that the person is okay.”

Alexander Sorloth is showing improvement

On the flipside, Alexander Sorloth, who arrived at the same time as Alvarez, has made his way back into the starting XI over the last three games. Simeone said it was his best run of form at the club.

“He’s playing his most consistently well since arriving. He offers us different options compared to other strikers. We need him with the same ambition and hunger. His physical strength gives us different attacking patterns. We need him playing like this because the team needs this version of Sorloth.”

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