Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone hails title win over Barca

Beating Barcelona and Real Madrid to the Spanish title is one of the greatest days in Atletico Madrid's history, says head coach Diego Simeone.

Atletico drew 1-1 at nearest rivals Barca to earn the point they needed to become La Liga champions for the first time since 1996.

Their success ended Barca and Real's 10-year stranglehold on the title.

"Today will be one of the most important days in the history of the club," said Simeone, 44.

Atletico became the first club other than Real or Barca to win La Liga since Rafael Benitez's Valencia in the 2003-2004 season.

Simeone's men led the table from the end of March and, although they faltered slightly near the end with a defeat at Levante and a home draw against Malaga, they knew a point would suffice in their final-day fixture at Barca's Nou Camp.

Uruguay centre-back Diego Godin's thumping second-half header clinched their 10th La Liga title and Simeone said afterwards he never doubted that his side would fight back to earn a draw.

"I never thought for a moment the team would not do it," he said.

For the losing team Barcelona, Gerardo Martino is to step down as their coach by mutual consent after failing to win La Liga or any other major.