Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Jose will go Ed first
LIFE IS so good for Kieran Trippier under Diego Simeone that he wishes he had joined Atletico Madrid earlier in his career.
For Simeone – the whirlwind South American manager Trippier calls ‘Mister’ – has given him a welcome new lease of life.
And the former Tottenham defender claims that in just a few months Simeone has made him a better player, despite four years at White Hart Lane being tutored by Mauricio Pochettino, a right-back in his own playing days.
Trippier was hurt that Pochettino and chairman Daniel Levy were willing to offload him to Madrid in a £20million deal last summer.
But, a year on, there is only joy at a fresh career challenge that has broadened his horizons.
“I’ll admit it was an eye-opener coming here, for sure,” said England star Trippier.
“I didn’t want to come to the end of my career and regret not accepting this challenge and going to Madrid.
“I know it will benefit me in the long run and hope I am here for many more years. I am absolutely loving it at the moment – and that is the most important thing.
“The culture and the football are so different to England. La Liga and the Premier League are totally different.
“I had to improve on my defending and that was something I openly admitted last season.
“And now I know there is no one better to learn from than ‘Mister’. He is unbelievable with the team and individually. It is a joy to play for him.” Performing for taskmaster Simeone is no day at the beach.
And when it comes to demanding every last ounce from his stars, he is up there with Pep
Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho. Before they met in the Champions League round of 16 first leg in February, Klopp said of the Argentinian boss: “People say that I’m emotional on the sideline.
“But if I’m on level four, I would say Diego is on level 12. I’m the kindergarten cop against him.”
Trippier laughs in agreement – but insists Simeone’s intense dedication has dragged him to another level.
“From the first day at pre-season, what you see on the touchline from Mister is what you see in training. All
“You cannot say the tie is over because City won in Madrid. Real are a fantastic side. We played them three times this season and they have some fantastic players. Don’t go to sleep on them, thinking you have them beat and don’t doubt them.” the time. He is one of the best managers I have ever worked with.
“He is so fully focused and committed. Everyone loves him here and he is a joy to work with. I can’t speak highly enough of him.
“I’ve only been here one season and already wish I had come earlier in my career. I am enjoying my football, I’m very happy and my family are enjoying life in Madrid, which is the most important thing.
“I have settled in really well and am learning the language. It is strange really because I feel I have been here for
“Of course, I still want to play for the national team. I want to try to keep myself in there because there is no greater honour. I need to play games like I did at Anfield to keep in the thoughts with Gareth and the staff, but I will do my best to keep pushing.” years and these guys have been unbelievable with me.
“The people in Madrid are totally different to England, it’s so much more relaxed. You get to training every day and the security guys and groundstaff hug you!”
In another world before Covid-19, Trippier could have been returning from Istanbul today after a Champions League final at the Ataturk Stadium.
So impressive was Atletico’s 3-2 win at Anfield in the quarter-final second leg in March – the last football before shutdown – Simeone’s stars are gearing up for their third final in seven seasons.
Trippier is now back in training, with a La Liga restart just days away – but winning in front of the Kop has sustained him through lockdown.
He said: “You always believe when you play for Atletico.
“When you are there day in, day out with Mister, you see how incredible it is – and we have that never-say-die attitude.”