“My job is telling Cholo the truth”

Atletico Madrid assistant manager German Burgos has spoken of his working relationship with Coach Diego Simeone.

The Argentine has been Simeone’s number two since taking the hotseat at the Vicente Calderon in 2011 and has helped propel them to a La Liga title, Copa Del Rey  triump and two Champions League finals.

"If one of us loses our temper, the other will put up with it until it fizzles out,” he joked on Papel’s Sunday Supplement.

“You know, both of us have very strong characters, but my job is to make sure he remains balanced. If he has any doubts or anxieties, I try to free him of them. I'm never in any doubt, never.

“When you are presented with the truth, there is no need to doubt and my role is to tell him the truth always – this one can play, he can play and he can play and he trusts my judgement.

“The roles of coaches and their assistants is a bit like those double acts in classic films – like Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci…”

The former River Plate, Real Mallorca and Atleti goalkeeper also spoke of the low points of losing two Champions League finals with Simeone.

“Which one hurt the most – Lisbon or Milan? Both,” he responded.

“But it's the same effect as when you win only in reverse – in my case, the after effects don't last, they're gone in a flash.

“In Lisbon after the goal on 93 minutes, I said something very important to Cholo. Something was has been important from that point on, I'm not one for talking after matches. I try to keep quiet, to remain unaltered and then I'm off home. But that day I said something to Simeone. The game went into extra-time. It was 1-1 and it wasn't over.

“I need a pessimist next to me to live my life! I am a natural-born optimist. I'm not the kind who lets their emotions take over because of certain moves.

“I am always thinking, taking notes, I cannot do that if my emotions get in the way. El Cholo has a way of living football and expressing himself – he'll leap up, kick things, he'll whip up the atmosphere and get the crowd going. I have to compliment that, the archer needs to remain cool and calm, do you know what I mean?”

Tags Diego Simeone German Burgos
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