Coach Simeone commits future to Atletico Madrid

BARCELONA – Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has reaffirmed his commitment to the club by saying he wants to lead them into their new stadium in 2017.

Simeone is under contract with Atletico until 2020 but he cast doubt on his future in May, immediately after the team’s defeat to Real Madrid on penalties in the Champions League final.

The Argentine coach has since stated he made those comments in the heat of the moment, although talk of his future has resurfaced following the team’s disappointing start to the season.

Atletico have drawn their first two games of the La Liga campaign, held by promoted Alaves and Leganes, and are already four points adrift of favourites Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Simeone, however, reiterated his commitment to the club, who are set to move from their Vicente Calderon ground to a new 67 000seater stadium on the outskirts of the Spanish capital in August next year.

“We have a beautiful stadium we’re moving into next year and I hope to be here for that,” Simeone said at the launch of his autobiography, titled Believe.

“When I came here I was very optimistic about the club’s fortunes and I still am, and that’s why I’m here. I’m still transparent and we hope to work hard and improve on the start we made to the season, but apart from that I’m happy.”

Simeone is the longest-serving coach in La Liga, having taken over Atletico in December 2011. He lead them to their first La Liga title in 18 years in 2014 and has also won the King’s Cup and the Europa League. La Liga fixtures Tonight: Real Sociedad v Espanyol Tomorrow: Celta Vigo v Atletico Madrid; Real Madrid v Osasuna; Sevilla v Las Palmas; Malaga v Villarreal; Barcelona v Alaves Sunday: Sporting Gijon v Leganes; Valencia v Real Betis; Granada v Eibar; Deportivo La Coruna v Athletic Bilbao.