Football
Simeone close to new Atletico deal
Atletico Madrid are close to tying Diego Simeone to a new contract according to reports in Argentina.
The 48-year-old has been at Atletico eight years this January, making him the longest-serving coach in the top European leagues.
His sister and agent Natalia Simeone is in Madrid and there are plans to formalise an extension of his current deal that runs out in 2020.
The coach said recently: ‘I have spoken to Miguel Angel (Gil Marin, the club’s managing director) and it’s true that at one point through the season we can talk about extending. I feel content here with more energy than when I first arrived.
‘I am stubborn too and I have certain things in my head that I still want to do (at this club).’
Natalia Simeone has indicated in the past that ‘sooner or later’ Diego will end up in Italy coaching Inter but the signs are that the Atletico coach is closer to committing himself to the club than leaving.
One coach not staying at his current club could be Valencia’s Marcelino. The team are out of the Champions League, 18 points off the lead in La Liga, and lost their last-16 cup first-leg against second division Sporting on Tuesday night.
If they lose this weekend against Valladolid the club are expected to fire the coach. Marcelino took on loan Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi off at half-time in the defeat and wants the Belgian sent back to London with another loan striker coming in.
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