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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
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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