Time to walk away? Simeone’s Atletico Fairytale seems set for an Unhappy Ending

Part of the problem is that the likes of Diego Godin and Gabi, Juanfran and Filipe Luis are all getting older and losing some of their vitality. It is now time to rejuvenate and regenerate an ageing squad and it might be difficult to find the right players second time around. The transfer ban (for irregularities in the recruitment of youngsters) has also held up that process.

In La Liga, Valencia's renaissance and the presence of Sevilla means making the top four is not a foregone conclusion this time for Atletico and there is no guarantee the Rojiblancos will be eating at Europe's top table next season.

Simeone, meanwhile, has signed an extension until 2020, having previously cut his contract to leave in 2018.  And now he has perhaps the greatest challenge on his hands to avoid his remarkable reign from ending in disappointment after so many successes since his arrival in December 2011.

"Destiny is playing us a bad hand in front of goal," the 47-year-old said after the draw against Qarabag on Wednesday. "We will have to fight hard to beat it." And he added: "I'm completely responsible and we will have to win this battle with destiny."

Whatever happens, Simeone's destiny is to leave as an Atletico legend, but how his team reacts over the coming months may decide whether he stays on beyond the summer or sees his tenure suffer an anti-climactic finale at the end of this season.

Despite his love for the club and his burning desire to win the Champions League, the time might just have come for El Cholo to walk away.