Diego Simeone is once again set to challenge British football customs when his Atlético Madrid side walk out at Anfield for their Champions League opener against Liverpool.
The Argentine coach has long been known for his fiery touchline demeanor and unusual stance on post-match traditions. Liverpool fans will remember that after Atlético eliminated the Reds in the 2019/20 round of 16, and again during their 2021/22 group-stage meetings, Simeone sprinted down the tunnel without shaking Jürgen Klopp’s hand—leaving the German visibly bemused.
Simeone later explained his position: “I don’t like the handshake after the match because it reflects the emotions of two teams in very different emotional states. I know it’s customary in the UK, but I don’t agree with it and find it somewhat insincere.”
It isn’t the first time Simeone has made headlines for this. He avoided Brendan Rodgers after a game at Celtic Park and acted similarly at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
Now, attention turns to his interactions with Arne Slot. The pair had their own clash in 2021, when Simeone’s Atlético met Slot’s Feyenoord in a fiery friendly marred by a red card and a pitch invasion. Simeone refused to shake Slot’s hand, and the Dutchman later admitted: “If no one had been around, it could have been a real problem. I wouldn’t want to meet him alone.”
The tension cooled when Atlético faced Feyenoord again in 2023, with both men putting the handshake incident behind them. But as Anfield prepares for another heated Champions League night, many wonder—will Simeone stick to his principles once more, or extend a hand to Liverpool’s new manager?
Either way, the spotlight will be just as much on the sidelines as on the pitch.
