Atletico boss Simeone raises questions about the club's prospects following Champions League elimination at the hands of Arsenal

Arsenal's Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid has resulted in a fifth consecutive season without a trophy for Diego Simeone's team, sparking uncertainty about the Argentine coach's future.

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When questioned about his ability to continue after the defeat in London, Simeone responded with an uncharacteristic answer, stating "Not now, definitely not now," which has raised doubts about his plans for the summer.

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Similar questions have been posed to Simeone over the course of his 14-and-a-half-year tenure at the helm of Atletico Madrid, often following painful knockouts like the one they recently suffered.

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The most notable defeats were the two final losses to rivals Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016, with the latter being particularly devastating as it came after a penalty shootout at the San Siro.

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Simeone had considered stepping down after that loss, citing the difficulty of lifting the players' morale after such a crushing blow, but he ultimately chose to stay on.

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Those early years under Simeone were Atletico's most successful period, but the seasons since have been marked by frustration, despite the team's La Liga win in 2021.

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Competing with Spain's powerhouses, Barcelona and Real Madrid, is a daunting task, and Simeone acknowledged that "we've grown enormously in every aspect, we're a club recognised in Europe and the world," but noted that "the fans want to win, getting to a semi-final isn't enough."

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Since their title triumph over half a decade ago, Atletico have been searching for their next piece of silverware while trying to establish a clear identity, with Simeone working to evolve his coaching style.

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Simeone has pointed out that his team now attacks better than it defends, and while they were unable to break down Mikel Arteta's solid Arsenal, there have been signs of improvement, with the team adopting a more expansive style without sacrificing intensity.

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Despite the pressure mounting due to the prolonged wait for a trophy, there have been positive signs, including a run to the Copa del Rey final, where they were ultimately beaten by Real Sociedad on penalties in April.

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Players like Giuliano Simeone, Ademola Lookman, and Marc Pubill have shown promise, with the latter potentially earning a spot in Spain's 2026 World Cup squad.

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The team's European campaign, although ultimately unsuccessful, will leave fond memories for fans, particularly the victory over Barcelona in the quarter-finals, which gave veterans like Antoine Griezmann and Koke a chance to shine on the biggest stage.

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Simeone praised Griezmann and Koke, saying "I hope our fans give Antoine the backing he's earned in these last few matches" and "Koke was incredible, a masterclass in how to play football at his age."

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The task of replacing Griezmann will be a significant challenge for the club this summer, and getting it right could propel the team to success, while getting it wrong could prolong their drought, as seen with the ill-fated 126 million euro ($148 million) signing of Joao Felix in 2019.

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Whether Simeone will be at the helm to oversee the project remains to be seen, but he has consistently chosen to stay on despite doubts over the years, and only time will tell if he will continue to lead Atletico Madrid.