Diego Simeone and Jose Mourinho renew rivalry in Madrid derby

On September 20, 2026, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid faced off in a highly anticipated derby at the Metropolitano Stadium. The match marked a significant reunion between managers Diego Simeone and Jose Mourinho, who had not competed against each other since April 30, 2014. Their last official meeting occurred during the Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge, where Simeone’s Atletico secured a 3-1 victory over Mourinho’s Chelsea to reach the Lisbon final.

Since their last encounter, their career paths have diverged significantly. Simeone has remained with Atletico Madrid since taking the helm in December 2011, with the recent match marking his 51st Madrid derby. Conversely, Mourinho has managed several clubs, including Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahce, and Benfica, before his recent return to Real Madrid. Following the event, Simeone publicly addressed their relationship, emphasizing that while intense competition is expected in professional football, there are established boundaries of mutual respect that should be maintained between coaches regardless of the stakes.