Thibaut Courtois, goalkeeper of Real Madrid, praised Diego Simeone and admitted that he would like to see him coaching outside of Spain. In an interview on former footballer Rio Ferdinand's podcast, the Belgian keeper recalled his time at Atlético de Madrid and the impact that the Argentine coach had on his career.

The goalkeeper highlighted Simeone's character and the motivation he instills in his players. "He always found ways to fire us up. Before a final, he would sit down with you alongside Germán 'Mono' Burgos and tell you that you were the best. ‘Tomorrow, you're going to crush it,’ and you would go to bed believing it," Courtois recalled. He also mentioned the coach’s ability to inspire the team with speeches and videos before key matches.

For Courtois, Simeone’s success lies in his ability to adapt. "He always finds a way to reinvent himself. He has been there for many years and remains brilliant. I would love to see him in another country, but I guess he's happy at Atlético de Madrid," he commented.

The transfer that shaped his career

During the interview, Courtois also spoke about his childhood following Manchester United and revealed that he didn’t sign for the Red Devils because the club had already brought in David de Gea in 2011. "That signing changed my path," he explained. "There was interest from Tottenham, Chelsea, and other clubs, but the best long-term project for me was Chelsea. Since De Gea went to Manchester, that opened the door for me to join Atlético. That move was crucial in making me the goalkeeper I am today."

Courtois, who has been a key figure in Real Madrid’s recent success, still holds great admiration for his time under Simeone’s leadership, despite now defending the colors of his former club’s biggest rival.