‘Simeone the world’s best Coach’

Atletico Madrid full-back Filipe Luis claims Diego Simeone is not only the best Coach he has played under, but he is also “the best in the world”.

Atleti’s 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final was Filipe’s last before joining Chelsea that summer, but he returned to the Vicente Calderon after just one season with the Blues and found working with Simeone to be more rewarding than Jose Mourinho and his ability greater than that of Pep Guardiola.

“We know each other really well, I think we play together for four years and we know exactly what he wants from us,” the Brazilian told BT Sport ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final, which is a repeat of the showpiece two years ago.

“We always do these meetings which he says the way we have to play, which side we have to go and when we have to attack we know exactly where to go.

“Sometimes it’s not all about motivation it’s more about tactics and because as I said he put those videos to us and he studied the opponents really well. When we go to the pitch we feel we are really prepared to play the game you know.

“I think when you’re football player you know how to play from when you’re young. You play on the streets, you have new things sometimes.

“When you play with Simeone he tells you how you have to play and he can bring the best out of you. Every time he can say something new that makes you better and I think I’m really lucky to play with him so long and also [Jose] Mourinho for one year, it makes me a better player and it makes me so proud to be where I am right now.

“For sure I think he’s the best, the best manager. I could put him with Guardiola. Everytime we see Guardiola’s team playing they’re so good and they play really well with the ball building again from the back, suffocating their rivals.

“We are totally the opposite, we play counterattack, we have the defence which is really strong, we help each other a lot, they’re different managers but I think they’re both the best and of course as I’ve played with Simeone for four years I would say he’s the best in the world.

He’s a tough manager. When you make a mistake of course he’s going to tell you, he tells everything he wants in your face, in the dressing room, on the pitch, maybe even in the restaurant…

“I think when he speaks, he speaks so clearly and I think that helps you know to get to know him and the way he wants you to play.”

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Tags Bayern Munich Chelsea Diego Simeone Filipe Luis Jose Mourinho Pep Guardiola
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