The links between Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone and the Inter Milan bench have never really went away over the years.

Today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, highlight the persistent speculation ahead of tomorrow evening’s Champions League showdown.

One thing that’s clear is that Simeone and Inter will be adversaries tomorrow.

On the pitch, the Argentine coach’s Atletico Madrid will take on the Nerazzurri in the first leg of a round of sixteen tie that promises to be intense, gruelling, and balanced on the edge of a knife.

And of course, a coach like Simeone, who has spent well over a decade shaping Atletico into a machine in his image and getting big results in Europe, will not hold anything back out of sentimentality.

But the fact remains. Simeone does have a connection with Inter.

The former midfielder spent just two seasons at the Nerazzurri, between 1997 and 1999.

But there was a sense of connection with the club and fans that seemed greater than that. Simeone has never hidden that fact.

Could Diego Simeone Coach Inter One Day?

In any event, at the moment Inter seem secure in their coach.

47-year-old former Lazio coach Inzaghi has rode out some nasty spells during the past two and a half seasons to look stronger in his position than ever.

Inzaghi guided Inter to the Champions League final last season. And he has the team well on course for the Serie A title this time around, playing spectacular football.

But the fact remains that every coach’s time at a club comes to an end in football.

And whenever Inzaghi does end up parting ways with Inter, the task of replacing the ex-Biancocelesti boss will be a big, important one.

If SImeone were to be available he would certainly be up there on the list of candidates.

That is, if the 53-year-old ends his long tenure as Atletico coach in the meantime.

And even in the future beyond that, Simeone will always feel like an option for Inter.

The emotional connection is there. The Argentine is a man who knows the atmosphere at the San Siro, and what it means to represent the Nerazzurri.

But for now, all that is in the future. It will not be in Simeone’s mind as he looks to prevail at Inter’s expense tomorrow.