Atletico Madrid are preparing for a notable change in their coaching structure with plans for next season that could reshape the club’s day-to-day football operations. The key figure at the center of the update is Gabi, who is reportedly set to return to Atlético Madrid as Diego Simeone’s assistant coach ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. The move would mark a significant homecoming for a figure closely associated with the club’s culture and football identity.
According to the report highlighted in the headline, Gabi’s expected arrival as Simeone’s assistant comes at a time when Atlético are also looking at the future of their existing staff. Nelson Vivas, currently part of Simeone’s coaching team, is described as being set to leave the club this summer. The timing is important because it suggests Atletico do not only intend to make a routine staffing adjustment; they are planning a coordinated transition from one long-serving coaching role to another, with Gabi named as the replacement for the role Vivas is expected to vacate.
Nelson Vivas has been at Atlético Madrid for eight seasons, according to the story. That length of service indicates he has been an established presence within the coaching framework and has likely contributed to the club’s development work, training routines, and match preparation over multiple competitive cycles. The report therefore frames the upcoming departure as a meaningful end of an era within the club’s technical staff, rather than a minor personnel shuffle.
Gabi’s proposed role as Simeone’s assistant is presented as a strategic step. Diego Simeone is known for building a consistent tactical approach and for relying heavily on a trusted coaching environment. Bringing in a former Atletico player like Gabi suggests the club wants an assistant who understands its standards from the inside and can help maintain continuity in methods, expectations, and leadership culture. This kind of appointment often aims to strengthen internal cohesion—ensuring that players experience consistent messaging from the manager and the supporting staff.
From the perspective of Atletico’s broader football project, a coaching staff transition can influence how training sessions are structured, how matchday plans are implemented, and how players are developed and managed throughout the season. While the headline focuses on the change in assistant coaching personnel, the broader implication is that Atletico intend to keep a strong link to their identity even as they adjust staff roles.
The report indicates that the change will take effect next season, specifically referencing the 26/27 timeline. That means the club’s decisions are already being signaled well in advance, giving time for planning and internal adjustments. It also implies that Atletico may want to manage the transition smoothly—allowing Vivas to conclude his time with the club in the most orderly way possible while giving Gabi the opportunity to prepare for an expanded coaching responsibility under Simeone.
In addition, the story suggests that Vivas’s departure is not happening abruptly mid-season, but rather at the start of the summer window. This is consistent with how clubs usually approach coaching staff changes: they aim to finalize staffing decisions during the off-season so the new structure can be in place ahead of pre-season preparation. For a club competing at the top level, the off-season is when coaching teams refine tactics, fitness planning, and squad integration, making the assistant coach’s role especially important.
Atletico Madrid have often balanced performance goals with the preservation of institutional knowledge. An assistant coach who is familiar with the club’s environment can help bridge any gaps that might occur during staff transitions. By appointing Gabi to replace Nelson Vivas, Atletico appear to be betting on familiarity, continuity, and a deep understanding of what the club demands.
Although the headline is the primary source of information, it provides enough detail to outline the overall direction: Gabi is expected to return to Atletico Madrid as Diego Simeone’s assistant coach in 2026/27, taking over from Nelson Vivas, who is reportedly set to leave this summer after eight seasons with the club.
In short, Atletico’s technical staff may be entering a new phase. With Simeone’s trusted assistant role set to pass from Vivas to Gabi, the club is preparing for continuity of culture while allowing for a natural evolution in responsibilities within the coaching team. 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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