3 Transfers that led to split between Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid Sporting Director

Atletico Madrid will see the end of an era at the end of the calendar year, with Sporting Director Andrea Berta bringing to an end seven years of his reign at the Metropolitano. Berta will leave, with many citing the arrival of Director of Football Carlos Bucero as a key factor.

Bucero certainly seems to have been empowered to take decisions, and Relevo reference that as a part of Berta’s decision. This summer Bucero was key in the arrivals of Julian Alvarez, Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth, although Bucero preferred Javi Guerra to Conor Gallagher.

They continue on to say that there had been a gap growing between Diego Simeone and Berta though too. It can best be explained by three particular transfers. In 2021, Brazilian forward Marcos Paulo arrived, in spite of Simeone making it clear he was not a fan. Paulo is yet to make his debut and has made various loan trips, but still has 18 months left on his deal.

"We have the same number of points as last year, the ones with less are Madrid and Barcelona."

On Lamine: "It's clear that he's extraordinary. They don't have anyone with those characteristics, but they have Ferran, Olmo, Pedri to look for other alternatives."