It is almost three years since Diego Simeone was
named as the coach of Atletico Madrid to replace the unpopular Gregorio
Manzano.
Manzano's second term at the Vicente Calderon had stagnated in the
face of poor results and hostility from the fans and the naming of
Simeone, who had been a hero as a player, was the best way for the club
to get the fans back on board again.
Nobody could have expected three years packed with success, however,
as Simeone led Atletico to the Europa League and the European Supercup
before following that up with a triumph in the King's Cup over local
rivals Real Madrid in Real's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and topping those
achievements off last season by guiding Atletico to an unlikely BBVA
Primera Liga title and an appearance in the final of the Champions
League.
That success has made Simeone the focus of attention for other clubs
in Europe and it is not surprising that the Argentinean has begun to be
linked with almost every big job that comes available.
Speaking in Spanish sports paper, Diario Marca, Simeone assured Atletico fans he had no immediate plans to move.
"I am very happy at Atletico Madrid," he assured. "I want to continue
growing and I am not satisfied with anything. I don't know what the
ceiling is for this club, but I am going to keep on looking for it."
The coach has long insisted the need to take matters game by game and
true to that philosophy, he was unwilling to look for aims beyond
Saturday's league game against in-form Malaga.
"I am pleased to have reached three years at the club and it is extra
special to do so at one which I love so much. I always think that one
day I may get the sack so for the moment, all I look ahead to is the
Malaga match," concluded Simeone.
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