There was a lot riding on the ex captain from the historic double year. December 23rd 2011 was the date that Simeone started his reign. In the hands of the Argentine, Atletico Madrid were proclaimed champion of the UEFA Europa League after a 3-0 win over Athletic Club Bilbao, coached at the time by his compatriot Marcelo Bielsa. This would be the precedent of a new chapter in clubs history.

The 2012/2013 season started with one of those games that will remain etched in the mretina of any fan Atletico . Simeone’s men played the European super Cup against Chelsea as reigning Champion League winners and came out with a 4-1 victory at the Stade Louis II in Monaco. Falcao with his hat- trick help Atletico Madrid be proclaimed as the new champion of the UEFA Super Cup.

The season ended in direct qualification for the Champions League and a victory against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final which was played at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu with a goal from Joao Miranda in extra time.

But titles are not coincidental. The work and sacrifice demonstrated in the 'game by game' approach as quoted on numerous occasions by Diego Pablo at press conferences. Since his arrival at the club, Atletico Madrid have won 64 of the 99 matches played so far, the team wining on average almost seven out of every ten games.

Simeone has overseen the best start in club history, getting 24 points from a possible 24 in the first eight days league games, beating Atletico Madrid in the 1991/1992 season during the Luis Aragones double season.

The season could end with Simeone having been in charge for 140 games, which would have placed him just behind other illustrious names on the Atletico bench such as Aragonés (612), Zamora (214) and Radomir Antic (190). "A success for the future of the club" is what the Argentine said after renewing until 2017 with the club. A renovation which ensures the 'Centenary man Simeone' will serve long on the Atletico bench.