GUILLEM BALAGUE EXCLUSIVE: Caminero 'Simeone is a winner who I want at Atletico for the next 10 years '

There’s no question that Atletico Madrid have established themselves as one of the top 5 sides in Europe in recent years, coinciding with the arrival of one Diego Pablo Simeone. If you ask anyone associated with the club they’ll put the majority of their improvement down to Simeone and his methods. He’s created an army of believers that perform in a style he perfected as a player himself.

A key member of the current structure is former Atletico Madrid player: Jose Luis Caminero . He’s the Rojiblancos’ director of football and is the man in charge of identifying and then securing players who fit into the mould which Simeone has designed. “We have intensity, strength, ambition and enthusiasm [in the squad]. If a player doesn’t have that on top of talent, it’s clear he isn’t what we want.”

[WATCH EXCLUSIVE: Guillem Balague talks to Filipe Luis on Simeone, Mourinho and winning titles]

Over the last couple of years the average age of the squad has dropped and instead of seeing a side designed to stay at the top for a couple of years or so, we’re seeing a core group of youngsters that have yet to reach their peak. Of course, all fit the requirements demanded of Simeone but age isn’t a determing factor either. “We are in a team and in that respect there’s no age [limit]. We look for players with certain characteristics and age is not the biggest thing. It’s more important to combine talented [established] players with youngsters and I think that’s what we’re achieving.”

Caminero believes Simeone is the one responsible for the current philosophy at Atletico Madrid, “It’s clear it was the arrival of Diego Pablo Simeone.” He demanded a high work ethic both in training and in matches. He took over a talented yet underperforming side that was lacking real direction. “Above all I could define it [Simeone’s philosophy] as intensity, enthusiasm and the ambition to make Atletico an important team and to continue making it a bigger one.”

Simeone is also very specific about who can and can’t play for Atletico Madrid. They won’t just sign a big name to please the fans or sell shirts in certain parts of the world – each player needs be someone that can either slot in straight away or be able to adapt to Simeone’s methods fairly quickly. Luciano Vietto struggled during preseason because of the intensity and fitness levels demanded by Simeone. For others, like Jackson Martinez, the transition is easier.

Perhaps one of the most important aspects Simeone has brought to Atletico Madrid is his winning mentality. “He’s a winner. It’s important to understand his character and see what he shows and gives to his players and that’s what the players then show to the fans.” Having played for Atletico Madrid, Simeone knows the requirements demanded by the fans.

The prospect of Diego Simeone leaving isn’t something anyone at the club wishes to talk about. “It’s better not to imagine it,” Caminero says through nervous laughter. No one at Atletico wants to imagine a life without Simeone. “Luckily he has a contract until 2020 – hopefully it [Simeone & Atletico] will last another 10 years and we’ll be very happy with that.”

[EXCLUSIVE: Guillem Balague talks to Enrique Cerezo]

And while the prospect of losing one of the brightest managers in the game is a constant worry, it’s an indicating sign of Simeone and Atletico’s continued success. Caminero believes Diego won’t leave as long as he retains the same enthusiasm for the job as well as feeling the club matches his own ambitions. “You never know, but at the end of the day in Spain it’s unusual for a coach to stick with a long-term project. It shows that all parties are happy.”

It’s the Simeone effect that rules Atletico Madrid and to see them without him would be strange. Caminero, asked about where he sees Atletico Madrid in 5 years time, puts the continuity of Simeone as the most important. “I see Diego being here, achieving the objectives that he and the club are planning for. In 5 years time we’ll have a new stadium with a large capacity. We’re also 5th in the UEFA Club rankings and we’d like to improve on that. I think the club is on a very good path and we have to stay on it.”

Interview by Guillem Balague/Text by Andrew Gaffney