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Enrique Cerezo hopeful of keeping Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid

Enrique Cerezo hopeful of keeping Diego Simeone at Atletico
© Reuters
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says that head coach Diego Simeone will remain at the club "until the day he wants to leave".

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has said that Diego Simeone will remain at Wanda Metropolitano "until the day he wants to leave" amid the recent speculation surrounding the Argentine.

The 53-year-old has been the head coach of the Red and Whites since December 2011, taking charge of 625 matches, boasting a record of 368 wins, 144 draws and 113 defeats.

Simeone, who is the longest-serving manager in La Liga, has won two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, two Europa League titles and two UEFA Super Cups during his time with Atletico.

The Argentine has also reached two Champions League finals during a highly-successful period at the helm, but there has recently been speculation surrounding his future.

Atletico finished bottom of their Champions League group this season, which meant that they did not play any European football in the second half of the campaign.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone before the match on February 19, 2023© Reuters

The capital giants have been in impressive form in La Liga in recent months, though, and they are currently battling Real Madrid for second position in the table behind Barcelona.

Simeone only has a contract at Wanda Metropolitano until next summer, but Cerezo has said that the Argentine will remain head coach of the club for as long as he desires.

"Simeone's arrival came because the team was not going well. We were lucky to meet Simeone, who had trained in Italy, and in Argentina," Cerezo told AS.

"It was a gamble, but we did not see it as a risk, because we were completely sure that he was going to do a great job, and he had shown his affection for the club.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone reacts on January 8, 2023© Reuters

"He had high hopes of coming to Atletico. He came, but he came for good. It's been eleven years, and it is very difficult to have this length of stay in Spain and in Europe too.

"He has been fortunate that his work has been rewarded with titles. He will be a coach who will always remain in the club's memory.

"El Cholo will be here until the day he wants (to leave). The day he wants to leave, he will leave. Let it be within a long time, at least in another ten years."

Atletico played out a 3-3 draw with Espanyol in their last league game, and their final home fixture of the campaign will see them host Real Sociedad on Sunday night.

Simeone's side will then finish their season away to Villarreal next weekend, although it remains to be seen whether second spot is still open to them on the final matchday of the campaign.

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Written by
Matt Law

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid22154350212949
2Atletico MadridAtletico22146237142348
3Barcelona22143560243645
4Athletic Bilbao22118333201341
5Villarreal22107544331137
6Rayo Vallecano228862624232
7GironaGirona229493130131
8Osasuna227962731-430
9Mallorca2293101928-930
10Real BetisBetis227872528-329
11Real Sociedad2284101819-128
12Sevilla227782430-628
13Celta Vigo2274113135-425
14Getafe225981717024
15Las PalmasLas Palmas2265112736-923
16Leganes225891930-1123
17Espanyol2265112133-1223
18AlavesAlaves2256112534-921
19Valencia2247112237-1519
20Real ValladolidValladolid2243151547-3215


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