Diego Simeone: 'I could still extend Atletico Madrid contract'

Diego Simeone gestures during the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid on May 28, 2016
© Getty Images
Diego Simeone claims that he shortened the length of his contract as it was "best for Atletico Madrid", but says he may well stay in the Spanish capital beyond 2018.

Diego Simeone has insisted that leaving Atletico Madrid at the end of next season is not yet set in stone, as he may still extend his current deal.

The 46-year-old has been touted with some of European football's biggest jobs following a successful five-year stint at the Vicente Calderon, where he has won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Europa League during that time.

Simeone, who has also guided Atleti to two Champions League finals, surprised many earlier this year by shortening his long-term contract by two years to 2018, but he claims that talk of an exit anytime soon may be wide of the mark.

"What happened with the contract was about what I thought was best for Atletico Madrid," he told beIN Sports. "Everyone always says that possibly I will leave in a year and a half, and what the fans might think of that. But I could also extend the contract.

"The media are very skillful at creating controversies, which is fine, it must be accepted, and maybe you should answer better so it does not happen."

Inter Milan is the most likely next destination for Simeone, who has made no secret of his desire to manage his former side in the future.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino on the touchline during his side's North London derby against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on November 6, 2016
Read Next:
Atleti 'want Pochettino to replace Simeone'
>


Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid15114040142637
2Barcelona16104241162534
3Sevilla16103332211133
4Villarreal1685325111429
5Real Sociedad169252821729
6Atletico MadridAtletico1684429141528
7Athletic Bilbao168262219326
8EibarEibar166552220223
9Espanyol165742022-222
10Las PalmasLas Palmas165652624221
11Malaga165652526-121
12AlavesAlaves165651517-221
13Celta Vigo166372531-621
14Real Betis165381829-1118
15Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo164482227-516
16Leganes164481327-1416
17Valencia153392129-812
18Sporting GijonSporting Gijon1633101733-1612
19Granada161691433-199
20Osasuna1614111334-217