Atlético Mineiro is actively seeking to fill the coaching vacancy left by Gabriel Milito, with Matías Almeyda becoming the leading candidate to take the reins. The club, having gone over three weeks without a head coach, is racing against the clock to secure the right leadership before the start of the new season.
According to O Tempo, Almeyda, who currently manages AEK Athens, has been identified as the top choice for the position. The former River Plate and Argentine national team player brings considerable experience, having led AEK to significant triumphs, including the Greek Super League title and the Greek Cup during the 2022/23 season.
Almeyda, now 51 years old, has established himself as one of the most promising managers on the international stage, achieving impressive results with AEK Athens. Under his leadership, the team has played 115 matches, recording 72 wins, 22 draws, and 21 losses, giving him a commendable success rate of 68%. Currently, AEK sits at fourth place in the Greek Super League, just three points behind Olympiacos.
Despite the attraction of potentially coaching one of Brazil's top teams, Almeyda's commitment to AEK, where he is contracted until 2028, poses considerable challenges. Reports indicate he is uninterested in leaving Europe at this stage, especially with his team performing well.
The Atlético Mineiro board has faced difficulties finalizing their coaching situation. Previous attempts to secure other prominent names such as Tite and Luís Castro ended unfruitfully, forcing the club back to the drawing board. After serious discussions with Luís Castro fell through, the focus turned squarely to Almeyda.
While Almeyda is viewed as Atlético's primary target, the club has not formally initiated negotiations with him. The situation is complicated by his long-term contract with AEK, wherein any potential move to Brazil would necessitate substantial discussions about compensation and release clauses. Radio Itatiaia confirmed Almeyda's name is still very much in the mix, but the likelihood of his arrival remains uncertain.
Atlético’s management hopes to announce their new coach imminently, ideally before the end of the year. They are eyeing final decisions by December 31, preferably before the team's first engagements of 2025. Conversations around Almeyda are viewed with cautious optimism, with expectations tempered by the difficulties of breaching his current contract.
If Almeyda does not become the club’s new manager, other options are still on the table. Among these, Tite re-emerges as another potential candidate, though he has expressed his desire to pursue opportunities abroad and not return to Brazilian football. Former coach Cuca, who has been without employment since leaving Athletico Paranaense, is also under consideration, but he has yet to receive any proposals from Atlético.
For the Atlético Mineiro faithful, the prospect of Almeyda taking the managerial role presents both excitement and anxiety. With strong managerial credentials and success at AEK, supporters are eager to see the club make the right choice, one they hope will steer the team to success after recent disappointments.
2024 was particularly trying for the club, consisting of heartbreak as they failed to clinch titles, finishing as runners-up both in the Libertadores and Copa do Brasil and narrowly avoiding relegation. The priority now for Atlético is not only to find the right head coach but also to secure a successful future strategy to redeem their performance and rebuild team morale.
Regardless of who ends up filling the role, Atlético members are hopeful for stability and success within their ranks. With eyes set on the new season and beyond, finding the right management is seen as the first step toward reclaiming their position among Brazil’s elite football clubs.
