Diego Simeone sprinted down the tunnel after Atlético Madrid lost 3-2 at home to Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Atlético head coach didn’t shake Jurgen Klopp’s hand at full-time and he insisted there was no malice in the gesture.
“I don’t think too much about what others think but once a game is over, I always think the same, if I have won and the other coach has lost, he might shake your hand but you can tell it’s begrudgingly. On the other hand, if I lose a game, I have to shake hands with the rival coach but again, begrudgingly. And to be honest, I don’t really like doing things which I am forced to do against my will. So I don’t do it. I always quickly run off because of the situation, whenever it’s my turn to win, and whenever I lose. On this occasion, I was supposed to acknowledge Liverpool players but they were in the centre of the pitch and this time we didn’t shake hands,” Simeone told reporters post-match.
“I don’t normally shake hands after a game. I don’t like it and I don’t think it’s healthy because one of the two coaches will always be unhappy with how the game went. They have a different culture, which I don’t share. If I see Klopp now, I won’t have any problems shaking his hand,” he added.
