Atletico Madrid plan to extend Diego Simeone's contract

By SABC Sport
5th October 2023

In a thrilling Champions League clash against Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory on Wednesday.

The triumph came on the heels of an announcement that Atletico are ready to extend head coach Diego Simeone's contract until June 2027, highlighting their commitment to the Argentine tactician.

Simeone, who has been at the helm of the Red and Whites since 2011, has consistently delivered success to the club. During his tenure, Atletico clinched two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, two Europa League titles, and two UEFA Super Cups. His leadership also led the club to two Champions League finals, although last season ended in disappointment as Atletico finished at the bottom of their group.

Amidst speculation about Simeone's future, the 53-year-old rejected a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli during the summer, affirming his commitment to Atletico. Club president Enrique Cerezo declared, "Simeone will remain in charge at Wanda Metropolitano until the day he wants to leave," underscoring the club's unwavering support for their long-serving manager.

Relevo reports indicate that Atletico are eager to finalize a contract extension with Simeone until 2027, aiming to reach an agreement during the upcoming international break. Simeone has an impressive track record, having overseen 637 matches for the club, with 376 wins, 147 draws, and 114 defeats.

The victory against Feyenoord was a testament to Simeone's tactical prowess and the team's resilience. Alvaro Morata was the star of the night, scoring two crucial goals, while Antoine Griezmann added his name to the scoresheet. The result propelled Atletico to four points in Group E, putting them on a solid footing in the Champions League.

In La Liga, Atletico currently sit in fourth place, having garnered 16 points from their first seven matches of the season. Simeone contemplated his future last season during a challenging first half, but a strong resurgence in the second half of the 2022-23 campaign saw Atletico finish third, just one point behind second-placed Real Madrid.

As they look ahead to the future, Atletico Madrid aim to continue their success under the stewardship of Diego Simeone, both domestically and in Europe. With their thrilling victory over Feyenoord and the prospect of a contract extension for their esteemed coach, the Red and Whites have their sights set on further triumphs on all fronts.