The media frenzy around Atlético Madrid continues as coach Diego Simeone has been something of the club’s lightning rod in the wake of his side’s poor start to the 16/17 campaign.
Atleti has started the season with just one point in two consecutive games against newly promoted sides Alavés and Leganés, and many have questioned whether Simeone’s demands are now falling on deaf ears.
Furthermore, reports from Spain claim that the Argentine, who is under contract until 2020, could be willing to leave before that. On Wednesday, El Confidencial and El Chiringuito reported that the former Estudiantes coach has already planned to leave in the summer of 2018 to Internazionale Milano, the club he played for from 1997 to 1999.
While fans of Los Rojiblancos could take this news as unreliable, or react in anger, they shouldn’t be surprised by the potential destination. In fact, Simeone spoke of his desire to one day manage the Italian club back in April of this year.
“We’ve exchanged a few words on the phone and as I’ve always said, and I have no fear of saying it again now, one day I will return to Milan because I did well there and left a great memory there, and I have the objective of going back as coach,” he said.
This wasn’t the only Simeone-related news on Wednesday, however, as Simeone told reporters of his wishes to stay with the club to see their new stadium, which is scheduled to open for the start of the 2017/18 season.
“We have a beautiful stadium we’re moving into next year and I hope to be here for that. When I came here I was very optimistic about the club’s fortunes and I still am, and that’s why I’m here,” Simeone told reporters as he promotes his new autobiography, ‘Creer.’
. @Simeone: "I'm happy to be here. Next year we will have a beautiful stadium" https://t.co/08PJzaAcef pic.twitter.com/EDmzJMWs38
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) September 7, 2016
Speaking of the new ground, the 67,000-seater stadium is actually the old Estadio La Peineta, a former athletics stadium, and will hold over 10,000 more fans than the Vicente Calderon. The Rosas district of Madrid will call the new stadium home, and it is less than a half-hour drive from the Calderon.
What do you make of Cholo’s comments? Are you worried he won’t see out his 2020 contract?