Atletico Madrid are reportedly preparing a significant change to their coaching setup for the 2026/27 season. The club is said to be on the verge of bringing former midfielder Gabi back into the fold, with the expectation that he will take up a role as Diego Simeone’s assistant coach next season. The development is framed as a major internal shift, as it involves not only the return of a club-connected figure, but also the planned exit of a current member of the coaching staff.
According to the report, Gabi is viewed as a natural fit for the position because of his history with Atletico and his growing reputation in coaching. The club’s interest in his return suggests that Atletico believes he can provide continuity in the style and standards they expect under Simeone, while also bringing in fresh energy and ideas from a coach who already understands the atmosphere and demands of the Madrid club.
Diego Simeone is central to the story. As head coach, Simeone’s assistants play an important part in training design, match preparation, tactical communication, and day-to-day management of the team. The report indicates that Atletico’s plan is for Gabi to become one of Simeone’s key support figures starting in the 2026/27 season. If finalized, this would mark a clear step in Gabi’s coaching progression, placing him close to the top of the club’s technical hierarchy rather than operating at a distance from the first-team setup.
The change is also connected to the future of Nelson Vivas, who currently works within Atletico’s coaching structure. The report states that Vivas is set to leave the club this summer after spending eight seasons at Atletico. That length of time suggests Vivas has been involved through multiple campaigns and coaching cycles, meaning his departure would not only be a personnel adjustment but also the end of a substantial chapter within Atletico’s staff.
Vivas’ eight-year tenure highlights how long he has contributed to the club’s internal footballing framework. Coaching roles often extend beyond matchdays, involving player development, tactical planning, and maintaining training rhythms across seasons. As a result, the club’s decision to part ways with Vivas indicates that Atletico wants a new direction for its staff composition moving forward.
In this context, Gabi replacing Vivas is presented as the logical outcome of a staff reshuffle. The timing is crucial: Vivas’ exit is expected to happen during the upcoming summer, while Gabi’s entry is targeted for next season. This timeline suggests Atletico may be using the summer to complete the transition, then integrate Gabi into the team’s working relationship with Simeone as preparations begin for the 2026/27 campaign.
The report also emphasizes the idea that the change aligns with Simeone’s preferences and Atletico’s overall management approach. Simeone’s coaching teams are known to emphasize cohesion, discipline, and strong communication. Bringing in someone like Gabi, who is closely associated with Atletico’s identity and expectations, would likely be seen as a way to preserve those values while ensuring the assistant coaching role stays effective.
For Atletico supporters, a coaching-staff change can carry different meanings—sometimes it signals a tactical or philosophical shift, and other times it reflects the natural evolution of a club’s internal personnel. In this case, the narrative leans toward both renewal and continuity: Gabi would return to Atletico in a senior staff capacity, while Vivas’ departure represents the closing of a long spell.
Even without further details, the headline points to a decisive action by Atletico behind the scenes. The reported plan gives a clear signal that the club is actively planning the next season’s coaching structure rather than waiting until later stages of the calendar. That kind of early planning can help players adjust to new coaching methods, and it can also allow the staff to synchronize tactical workflows well ahead of pre-season.
While this is currently presented as a major breaking update, the club will ultimately need to confirm the appointment and the departure arrangements officially. Still, the combination of Simeone’s assistant role being assigned to Gabi and Vivas’ expected summer exit after eight seasons paints a straightforward picture: Atletico are preparing for a leadership transition in the technical staff, with Gabi stepping into a role that keeps him at the heart of first-team operations.
Source: MARCA
Atletico Universe: 💣🚨 MAJOR BREAKING: Gabi is set to return to Atlético Madrid as Diego Simeone’s assistant coach next season (26/27) and will replace Nelson Vivas, who is set to leave this summer after 8 seasons at the club! @marca. #breaking
— @atletiuniverse May 1, 2026
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