Only a very special few managers are able to shape a club in their image the way Diego Simeone has at Atletico Madrid. The Argentine arrived at the club in 2011, taking over at a side that was unable to move away from the shadow of their neighbours and turned them into a unit that could - and regularly does - take on Europe’s best and win. Saul Niguez rose up through the Atleti academy and admits that Simeone’s impact on him has been life-changing. Article continues below Niguez on the man who changed Atletico forever Simeone has won two Europa Leagues with Atleti (Image credit: Getty Images) “Diego Simeone was the first person who believed in me,” Niguez tells FourFourTwo. “He’s almost a god at Atleti, but he’s earned that status. “He has changed the club’s history and played a decisive role in its success. You can see it in the number of years he’s been there and in the stability he has provided. Saul Niguez was coming up through the ranks when Simeone was appointed (Image credit: PA) “Simeone’s greatest gift isn’t how he trains, but his ability to transmit ideas. He’s managed to make players do anything for him.” The former Argentina international was appointed in December 2011 with the club sitting tenth in the La Liga table. His impact was quick, as he led Atletico to a fifth-place finish and also won the Europa League, beating Athletic Bilbao in the final. Get FourFourTwo Newsletter The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors But when did the Atletico team really begin to believe they could compete with Barcelona and Real Madrid and put a stop to their Spanish duopoly? “The 2013 Copa del Rey Final, which we won against Real at the Bernabeu, was a major turning point,” Niguez continues. “But the club had already been changing for years, since Quique Sanchez Flores won that first Europa League title in 2010. Simeone has also claimed two La Liga titles with the club (Image credit: Alamy) “That group of players set the path that others later followed, showing it was possible to make history and go toe-to-toe with Spain’s two giants. “With Simeone, he ensured the players would give their lives for that shirt. "Results are another matter, winning or losing is a fine line, but the fans identify with the team and that connection endures to this day.”