The decision was made long ago and only the official confirmation was missing to make it happen. And finally, that day came: Germán Burgos announced that it will no longer continue working alongside Diego Simeone at Atlético de Madrid and that he will begin his career as a main coach. “At the end of this season I will start my steps as first coach. With more than ten years of experience in First Division I think I am fully capable of directing the destiny of a team“he communicated.
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With an emotional video published in the official account of Aleti, El Mono put an end to a relationship that, without a doubt, was one of the longest in current football. A relationship that was born in the first days of 2011, when he joined Cholo on the Racing bench and he continued for more than eight years at Atlético de Madrid. Together they were protagonists of one of the best times in the history of the Mattress and more than once the Mono had to officiate as head coach in the absence of Cholo.
But the news of his departure after so many years of glory at Aleti is not surprising. It is a decision that I had been analyzing for more than a year and that was widely discussed inside the club: “We held a meeting with everyone, with Miguel (Gil Marín), Tomás (Reñones), Andrea (Berta), the teacher (Óscar Ortega, physical trainer), Nelson (Vivas, assistant coach), where I expressed this concern and they see it as normal. It is a normal step for a second coach who wants to start first, “he said.
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On his profile as a coach, El Mono recalled those who guided him during his time as a player and assured that he will keep the best that each one gave him and will try to pass it on to those who are his managers: “I will have a touch of people who have shaped me as a player and person, who are Luis Aragonés, Griguol, Bielsa or Tolo Gallego. I carry them in my soul and those things one does not forget when the years go by and you see that the things they have told you come true. “
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Obviously, in his farewell, he did not forget Cholo, to whom he dedicated some affectionate words: “We are friends, we have known each other for a long time, we understand each other with signs, looks, head butts … I have had lunch and dinner more with the ‘Cholo’ (Simeone) than with my family: eight years in the Argentine team, in Atlético as players and another eight as coaches … We understand each other with signs and without signs “,
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In the video, the Monkey was also melancholic and recalled two of the most special moments he lived with Cholo on the Atlético bench: “There are two facts. The hug with Cholo when we won LaLiga, that first hug, and the last one we had at Anfield, we owe the third when we come out champions of the Champions. There are goals to meet, the Champions League qualification and everyone’s desire to win the Champions League. It is everyone’s dream and I am a pursuer of dreams. The time, desire and passion will not suffice to be champion of the Champions. “
Although he has already made his decision, before he leaves he dreams of saying goodbye to the mattress in a big way: “I think I will do it in the best way, I know that until the last minute I am here I will try to complete the objectives. I want to retire from Atlético being champion. Make it clear to everyone. It is impressive to have put him back into the elite of world football. Going from something nostalgic like the Calderón, legends have passed and now we have gone to a constant illusion like the Wanda. See boys grow like Koke, like Saul, see them become men. Like Giménez or Thomas. Also the fact of having coach world champions, I keep it in my heart, not everyone has the possibility of it. As were Torres, Villa, Griezmann, Lucas or Lemar. We trained five of the seven that Atlético has had in its entire history. ”
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To close, he confirmed that the campus was already aware of the decision, despite the fact that no one spoke in the locker room on time, and he sent a message to the people: “This is a goodbye, not a goodbye, football will say if we see each other again, keep fighting, don’t give up, chase your dreams, we are not living pleasant times, but do not give up, keep fighting, fight life, see you in football. “
