Diego Simeone vs. Jose Mourinho: Head-to-Head Record
Few more combustible coaches have prowled touchlines over recent decades than Diego Simeone and José Mourinho.
A pair of pragmatists who wear their hearts on their sleeves, winning is the only thing that matters to them. Fortunately, they’re two of the best managers in the business, meaning they’ve grown accustomed to victory over the years.
Despite their longstanding presence among Europe’s elite tacticians, meetings between Simeone and Mourinho have been few and far between since a first collision all the way back in 2012.
With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of their head-to-head record.
FREE NEWSLETTER. New SI FC Newsletter Global Embed. Sign Up to Get Informed With SI FC. dark
Atlético Madrid 1–4 Real Madrid (April 11, 2012)
Simeone arrived at Atlético Madrid midway through the 2011–12 season and was forced to wait four months for his first taste of the Madrid derby as a coach. Mourinho, meanwhile, had been masterminding Real Madrid’s ascent to the summit of Spanish soccer, and took no mercy on his managerial rival during their first-ever meeting.
Cristiano Ronaldo was in typically-inspired form as he fired a hat trick beyond Thibaut Courtois for the visitors, with Radamel Falcao netting a brief equalizer amid the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s treble. As the icing on the cake, José Callejón wrapped up the scoring in the 87th minute to cap an utterly-rampant victory.
Real Madrid 2–0 Atlético Madrid (Dec. 1, 2012)
Things slightly improved for Simeone during the opening Madrid derby of his first full season as Atléti boss, but his second meeting with Mourinho still ended in defeat. Trips to the Bernabéu are never straightforward, especially with Ronaldo pulling the strings in his pomp.
The Portuguese forward once again proved the thorn in Simeone’s side as he powered Los Blancos into an early lead, only for him to then assist Mesut Özil after the restart.
Mourinho is one of the most tactically-astute managers in world soccer, but when you have a front four of Ronaldo, Özil, Karim Benzema and Ángel Di María, you don’t need to be a genius.
Atlético Madrid 1–2 Real Madrid (April 27, 2013)
Mourinho’s winning streak against Simeone continued during their second clash of the 2012–13 season, this time at the Vicente Calderón Stadium. A couple of early goals got pulses racing inside Atléti’s former home, with Falcao’s fourth-minute effort canceled out by Juanfran’s own goal.
It was Real Madrid who enjoyed the last laugh, though, with Di María delivering the fatal blow. With 25 minutes remaining, the Argentina international provided the decisive goal and yet more bragging rights for Mourinho on derby day.
Atlético Madrid 2–1 Real Madrid (May 17, 2013)
It turns out it was fourth time’s the charm for Simeone, whose wait for a first triumph over Mourinho ended in the 2013 Copa del Rey final. Atléti hadn’t won the competition in 17 years and were considered significant underdogs against their experienced neighbors, but a frenetic affair ended in their favor after extra time.
Another Ronaldo strike opened the scoring in the showpiece event, but Diego Costa restored parity with his effort late in the first half. The second period was without goals but not excitement as Mourinho was sent off on the touchline and a further six yellow cards dished out before an additional 30 minutes of tension.
An unlikely hero emerged as Atléti’s match-winner in the 99th minute, with center back Miranda heading home from Koke’s cross. There was still time for two more red cards, however, as Ronaldo and Gabi were both dismissed in the dying embers of a historic day for Los Rojiblancos.
Atlético Madrid 0–0 Chelsea (April 22, 2014)
Simeone and Mourinho would collide nearly a year later, but this time, the former’s Atléti would take on the latter’s Chelsea.
Mourinho had returned to Stamford Bridge following his Real Madrid departure and coached Chelsea to the semifinals of the Champions League in his first season back. Unfortunately for him, an awkward Atléti side stood in the way of a third European crown.
Chelsea journeyed to Spain’s capital for the a critical first leg and they exited content with a hard-fought goalless draw. It gave them the advantage ahead of the second fixture in west London—or so they thought, at least.
Chelsea 1–3 Atlético Madrid (April 30, 2014)
Chelsea, who had won the Champions League just two seasons prior, were expected to outmuscle their Spanish visitors and secure a return to the showpiece event. When former Atléti striker Fernando Torres powered them ahead in the 36th minute, all was going to plan.
But Adrián López threw a wrench in the works just moments before halftime as he equalized, and Costa, one of Chelsea’s future icons, would complete a remarkable turnaround on the hour as he fired home from the penalty spot.
As Chelsea pushed and pushed for a leveler, they became increasingly open in defense, and Arda Turan took full advantage as he scored his fourth goal of the European campaign to cement Atléti’s progression.
Unfortunately for Simeone, he would again lose to Mourinho’s former side Real Madrid in the final.
Atlético Madrid 2–1 Real Madrid (Sept. 20, 2026)
For the first time in 12 years, Simeone and Mourinho met again on the touchline in the first Madrid derby of the 2026–27 season. It was fireworks early, with the Argentine entering the referee’s book just six minutes into the encounter.
Tensions only rose throughout the hostile encounter at the Metropolitano with two potential Atlético Madrid red cards ignored by the referees. The only red card of the game soon came in the second half to Dean Huijsen, leaving Real Madrid with 10 men for the 38 minutes.
Simeone’s men took advantage in the blink of an eye. Alejandro Grimaldo buried the penalty that came from Huijsen’s sending off and then Jonathan David doubled the hosts’ lead in the 59th minute.
Antonio Rüdiger got Real Madrid on the scoresheet in the 89th minute, but it was just a consolation goal in the end. Once the final whistle sounded, Simeone ran down the tunnel in glee while Mourinho soon unleashed a tirade against the referees, blaming them for his team’s 2–1 defeat.
Diego Simeone vs. José Mourinho Head-to-Head Record
- Diego Simeone: 3 wins
- José Mourinho: 3 wins
- Draws: 1
Goals Scored
- Teams managed by Diego Simeone: 9
- Teams managed by José Mourinho: 11
READ THE LATEST SOCCER NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC. feed