MADRID :Diego Simeone's once untouchable reign at Atletico Madrid faces its biggest crisis as the club great starts his 14th season amid mounting pressure after four trophy-less campaigns and a growing disconnect between his measured ambitions and the board's aims.

The Argentine transformed Atletico from a lowly, struggling team in the south side of the Spanish capital into a European powerhouse, reaching two Champions League finals in three years with a relentless, physically imposing defensive style that left richer clubs with stellar squads struggling to cope.

However, since winning their 11th LaLiga title in 2021, Simeone has failed to deliver silverware while preaching that Atletico's main objective is not winning titles but finishing in the top three in LaLiga, claiming they cannot

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