Continuance good for both

INTELLIGENT MOVE: Simeone to stay at Atletico next season, says club chief

ARGENTINE coach Diego Simeone will remain at Atletico Madrid next season, the club’s chief executive officer Miguel Angel Gil Marin said on Tuesday.

Simeone, 46, signed a contract extension in 2015 that originally tied him to the club until June 2020, an unusually long deal by Spanish standards.

But in September he reduced the deal to 2018 after talks with Atletico, sparking speculation that he may leave.

Asked about Simeone’s future, Gil Marin said he will stay at Atletico “this season and the next for sure.”

“He has been with us for five years and it would be reasonable if he stayed with us many more because we a r e d elighted,” he added during an interview private television La Sexta.

“We continue to grow, both him and the club, and what would be most intelligent for both parts would be to continue.”

Simeone, a former Atletico midfielder, has led the club to a host of trophies since becoming coach in 2011, including the domestic title in 2014 and two Champions League finals, in 2014 and 2016.

But the club’s form has stuttered this season and Atletico find themselves in sixth in La Liga with 28 points.

Atletico are not in league action again until Jan 7 as La Liga takes a

with winter break over the new year.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s Euro 2016-winning coach Fernando Santos scooped the top prizes at the seventh edition of the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Tuesday.

Ronaldo claimed the best player award after helping his country land their first major title at this year’s European Championship and firing Real to a record 11th European Cup triumph.

“Probably (this) was my best year so far,” Ronaldo, who earlier this month won the Ballon d’Or for the fourth time in his career, said in a short video message.

“The people still doubt about me, about Real Madrid, about national team, and you have the proof. We win everything, so amazing year,

I’m so happy.”

The 62-year-old Santos was named best manager after masterminding Portugal’s success in France, while Champions League winners Real Madrid took home the prize for club of the year.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery, under pressure at the Parc des Princes following a mediocre first half of the season, also received an award having led Sevilla to a third straight Europa League crown before leaving for France.

Former Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o was lauded for his career achievements.