Diego Simeone has been transforming the history of Atlético de Madrid from the bench for more than 14 years, accumulating eight titles and establishing himself as the institution’s most successful coach.
However, the road to glory has also left painful moments in the form of lost finals, a record that was updated again this Saturday after the loss to Real Sociedad in the penalty shootout in the 2026 Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja in Seville. where the colchoneros tied 2-2 in the 120 minutes but Julián Álvarez and Sørloth missed their respective penalties to give up the title.
Throughout his cycle at the red and white club, the Argentine has played a total of 11 direct finals, winning six and losing five, which represents an effectiveness of 54 percent in matches of this nature. His six conquests include two Europa Leagues, two European Super Cups, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup, in addition to two LaLiga titles that bring his total haul to eight trophies with the Madrid club.
The five defeats in finals have a common denominator that especially hurts the Colchonera fans: three of them were against Real Madrid, which has become Cholo’s main executioner in the most important events. The deepest thorn remains Champions Leaguewhere Atlético was ninety minutes away from glory on two occasions without being able to achieve it.
The finals lost by Simeone
- Champions League 2013-14: Defeat 4-1 in extra time against Real Madrid in Lisbon, after having been winning until the 93rd minute.
- Champions League 2015-16: Another defeat against Real Madrid, this time in the penalty shootout in Milan in another historic final.
- Spanish Super Cup 2013: The title went to Barcelona by the away goal rule after drawing 1-1 in Madrid and 0-0 at the Camp Nou.
- Spanish Super Cup 2020: Another defeat on penalties against Real Madrid, this time played in Saudi Arabia.
- Copa del Rey 2025-26: Lost to Real Sociedad on penalties 4-3 after drawing 2-2 in the 120 minutes at La Cartuja in Seville.
The most successful coach of Atlético de Madrid
Despite these five setbacks, Simeone’s overall balance at Atlético de Madrid remains extraordinary. With eight titles to his name, Cholo surpasses the mark of the legendary Luis Aragonés as the most successful coach in the club’s history, having given the institution a competitive identity that permanently installed it in the elite of European football.
Atlético de Madrid has the UEFA Champions League semi-finals against Arsenal ahead of them, which gives Simeone the opportunity to forget the blow of the Copa del Rey and continue chasing the Orejona, the only European title that continues to elude him in a career that, despite the lost finals, has been historic for the red and white club.