• Atlético.The plans for the future of Mono Burgos do not go through Simeone

Under normal circumstances, at this stage of the year Atlético would already have their sports affairs resolved. And Mono Burgos, who never wanted his personal situation to interfere with the team's operation, would have announced, surely before, what was already a secret out loud: he leaves Simeone to start his adventure as head coach. "At the end of this 19/20 season, I will start my steps as head coach," he revealed smiling in an official interview with the Atletico club. Cap, glasses, tracksuit and a waste of happiness. Pure Mono Burgos. From now on he will fly alone, after eight and a half years at Atlético together with Simeone, with whom he also shared another half year at the Italian Catania.

"I think that with more than 10 years of experience in the First Division, I think I am more than capable of directing the destinies of a team," explained the Argentine, who assured that he carried within the spirit of Luis Aragonés , Carlos Griguol , Marcelo Bielsa or Galician Bull . People who have influenced his approach to things on the field as a coach. Like Diego Pablo Simeone , of course: "He is a friend. We understand each other with a look, with a head butt. I have had lunch and dinner more with him than with my family."

Having just turned 51, Burgos considers that his time to lead a bench has come. Just over a year ago, after putting himself in the hands of the Bahía Internacional representation agency (the same that carries Vitolo or Fernando Torres ), he did not appear in Simeone's renovation photo until 2022. Although it was not the first time. His previous expansions had already been negotiated on his own, after dispensing with the services of Natalia Simeone , sister and representative of Cholo, who had managed his first days at the rojiblanco club.

Their fate will not be officially known until the season is resolved. And that won't happen until August, when the Champions League closes. Had it not been for the Covid-19 crisis, by then he would be in command of his new group of players. A destiny that has not transcended. "After the embrace of winning LaLiga at the Camp Nou and the one in March at Anfield, we owe it to ourselves the third when we lift the Champions League. We still have goals to meet and I want to retire from Atlético being champion."

Nelson Vivas, his substitute

A decision that was not a surprise for the locker room or for players who passed through his hands. "He has always had a great influence on changes during games and was in charge of making the strategy. He is more than prepared," said people who were by his side. Curiously, fate wanted these years that Germán had to assume command in three of the finals that Atlético won: return of the Super Cup 2014 (Simeone was sent off before half an hour), Europa League 2018 and Super Cup of Europe 2018. The The last time he had to practice as first coach was at the end of February, at the Metropolitano, against Villarreal.

His hole will be filled by his compatriot Nelson Vivas , who landed in 2018 to fill the gap of Tiago and from next season will try to do the same with that of Mono Burgos. A mission that is not a small thing. "I need to take this step because many of the players will happen to them too. They are going to try to chase a dream and I am going to look for it," says Germán, proud of having seen "children" like Saúl, Koke, Thomas grow (whom he always calls Tomás) or Giménez and even having trained world champions like Torres, Villa, Lucas, Griezmann or Lemar. Five of the seven that Atlético has had. From August, he will fly alone.

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