Diego Simeone has ended speculation he is in line to become
Manchester City's next manager by signing a new five-year deal at Atletico Madrid.
The 44-year-old Argentinian has been touted as a potential replacement for Manuel Pellegrini,
who is under severe pressure with the club heading for a trophyless season.
But Simeone has opted to commit his future to the Spanish
club, who he led to La Liga glory and to the Champions League final last season.
"I choose to be here because I am convinced that the
club will continue to grow," he told the Spanish press.
Since taking the reins at Atleti in December 2011 Simeone
has made a habit of gatecrashing the monopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid, scooping a La Liga crown, the Copa
del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
Simeone's impact has also been felt in Europe, with his side
winning the Europa League in 2012 and then embarrassing Chelsea 4-1 in the Super Cup later that year.
"Ahead of us we can look forward to a new stadium,
there is a great deal of excitement," he added.
"The club keeps growing. I've made a decision to stay
where I am and decisions are sometimes difficult to make in life.
"Fortunately I've been able to make this decision as I
see a club that is moving forward, I see eagerness to grow and people willing
to collaborate. We all love Atletico Madrid, and we all want to grow
together."
Atleti hailed the announcement with a banner of Simeone
dominating their website and the hashtag '#Simeone2020' celebrating his
renewal.
Club president Enrique Cerezo echoed those sentiments,
saying: "Nobody embodies the values of our club more than Simeone.
"Passion, effort, nobility, work, solidarity, courage,
heart ... he showed in his years of football,
where he gave himself (in both) body and soul in the defence of Atletico
colours."
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