Diego Simeone admitted he felt “an overriding sense of relief” after Atletico Madrid secured their first win of the La Liga season with a 2-0 victory over Villarreal on Saturday. The result came as a much-needed boost for the Rojiblancos, who had collected only two points from their opening three matches. With their Champions League opener against Liverpool at Anfield now looming, the Argentine coach stressed the importance of regaining momentum.

However, speculation surrounding Simeone’s long-term future remains. Despite being a club legend, his influence at the Metropolitano has waned in recent years, with back-to-back high-spending summers piling pressure on him to deliver another major trophy. Atletico’s last significant triumph under Simeone was the 2020–21 Liga title, and many view this season as potentially decisive for his reign.

If Simeone were to step aside, attention has already turned to possible successors. Former assistant coach Germán Burgos recently tipped Fernando Torres as the natural heir, claiming the ex-Spain striker is “ready” to take charge despite his limited managerial experience. Torres, revered by Atleti fans for his exploits as a player, remains an iconic figure at the club — a status that could make him a popular candidate to eventually fill Simeone’s shoes.