Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone went back to his old ways following a dull post-match conversation with former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. When his club was held to a 2-2 draw by Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday night—a match that many had Atletico Madrid winning handily—Simeone’s fury was clear.
As the final whistle blew, the Argentine coach nodded towards the match officials, expressing his dissatisfaction with his team’s performance against their Scottish opponents, leaving Rodgers waiting for an acknowledgement. At last, Simeone turned to confront Rodgers, but all he could manage was a swift tap on the hand before he stormed out of the tunnel.
Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool fans may not be surprised by this approach because Simeone has treated them similarly in previous European matches. After leading Liverpool to a 3-2 group stage victory at the Wanda Metropolitano in October 2021, Klopp was infamously refused a handshake by Simeone.
Following the match, this event generated conversation, with Klopp saying, “It’s obvious that I wanted to shake his hand and he didn’t want to shake mine. His response was obviously inappropriate, but neither was mine very cool.”
Conversely, Simeone offered an explanation of his viewpoint, stating: “I have previously provided an explanation following the initial game. The post-match handshake greetings bother me because they represent the emotions of two opposing parties with disparate emotional states. Thus, I object to that post-match welcome.
“”I know it’s a custom and all about chivalry in the UK, but I don’t share it and I don’t like the falseness,” he continued. I act accordingly. Although I don’t know Klopp personally, he is an excellent coach who has excelled everywhere he has been. I don’t offer commentary on other teams; we are all coaches, and that should be respected.”
