Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has signed a new contract that ties him to the club until 2022.
The Argentinian, who has regularly been linked with a move to the Premier League, has been in charge of Atletico since 2011.
Under Simeone, a former Rojiblancos player, Atletico have won the Europa League twice, in 2012 and 2018, and the 2013-14 LaLiga title.
#Simeone2022 #EnamoradoDelAtleti #14 pic.twitter.com/PoygeSRItR — Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 14, 2019
That league triumph was the club’s first since 1996, and the only time in the last 14 years that a team other than Barcelona or Real Madrid has finished top in Spain.
Simeone also guided Atletico to their only Champions League finals, finishing runners-up to arch-rivals Real in both 2014 and 2016.
As well as that, the 48-year-old former Argentina international has helped the capital club to silverware in the Copa Del Rey, Spanish Supercopa and UEFA Super Cup (twice).
Atletico announced the news of the new deal on Thursday with a video on their official Twitter feed, and Simeone said in it: “The future that lies ahead of us until 2022 is very exciting, but it will also be full of challenges.
“I’ve decided to renew my contract once again with Atletico de Madrid because I have high hopes for the future.
“I see hard work, I see players focused on improving, I see excitement, I see youth.
“All of this can make us grow as a team, and I know that if the four legs remain strong and firm like they have until now, we’re going to continue in the same way.
“Fans, players, officials and coaches. That’s been a big strength of ours, and we must not change in the future.
“I’m convinced that we must continue in the same way as on that night in Malaga (his first game in charge): taking things one game at a time. And now: Rayo Vallecano (their next fixture) on Saturday.”
Atletico are currently third in LaLiga.
