A message delivered at a delicate moment

The build-up to Atlético Madrid’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan was already intense… until Diego Simeone spoke. The Argentine coach, an undisputed rojiblanco icon, openly admitted that his long-term dream is to take charge of Inter, the club where he once shined as a player.

“I can imagine myself managing Inter someday. I think it will happen,” he said — words that instantly rang alarm bells in Madrid and sparked excitement in Milan. His declaration comes at a complex moment: Atlético are navigating an up-and-down European campaign, with strong wins but also painful defeats to giants like Liverpool and Arsenal, leaving their margin for error razor thin.

Inter’s visit to the Metropolitano puts more than just group-stage points on the line. It has also thrown Simeone’s medium-term future under the spotlight. And far from cooling the mood, his comments have turned up the temperature to maximum.

The bond with Inter and the pressure surrounding Atlético

Simeone didn’t just drop a one-liner. He spoke about Inter with deep admiration, calling them “one of the most complete teams in the competition.” He praised their attacking structure, their character, and their squad depth, while highlighting their dominant Champions League form with a perfect points tally.

His words sounded almost like a love letter — recalling his emotional connection to the Nerazzurri and contrasting their solidity with Atlético’s more erratic European performances. With injuries, inconsistency, and growing scrutiny, the rojiblancos find themselves in what feels like a pivotal moment of Simeone’s long tenure.

“One day I will coach Inter”

When pressed directly about his future, Simeone didn’t hesitate:
“In my coaching career, I can imagine myself managing Inter one day. It doesn’t depend only on me, but I think it will happen.”

He also showered praise on the current Inter side, calling them strong, structured, and one of the favorites for both the Scudetto and a deep Champions League run. For Simeone, even losing a derby doesn’t change the status of a team he sees as firmly anchored among Europe’s elite.

A long contract at Atlético… but an open future

On paper, there is no imminent drama: Simeone is under contract with Atlético Madrid until 2027, and Inter are thriving under their current manager. No short-term move appears likely.

But sentiment matters — and his revelations carry weight. The Argentine has now publicly outlined what could be his next big step after closing his Atlético chapter, meaning every setback in Madrid or shift in Milan will only revive speculation.

For now, Simeone remains the unquestioned leader of the rojiblanco project. But after this press conference, one thing became clear: the day the Inter bench opens up, the ‘Cholo’ already has his name at the front of the line.