Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, has confirmed that his contract with the club, has been reduced by two years, but insists that “nothing has changed.”
The Argentine tactician had initially agreed an extention until 2020, but after his second Champions League final defeat in three years, he has now held discussions with the club and will be out of contract in 2018.
This has led to speculations that Simeone is planning to leave Atletico very soon, with some of Europe’s top clubs interested in his services.
Asked to confirm the reports, the Colchoneros coach told a news conference: “It is true that it happened, but nothing changes. We are fine, I am happy where I am, I am guided by feelings and my heart. This does not change anything, and the only thing is to see if the lads keep giving me their hearts. During the two years we can renew the deal, if they don’t want to get rid of me.”
The 46-year-old also said he was not annoyed by all the speculation over his future.
“It does not annoy me,” he said. “It is normal when everything you do generates things like this. If I am here, it is because I want to be here. I decided four and a half years ago to keep this close relationship with the club, the fans, because I feel it. The only thing that moves me is the energy I feel around me. I am guided by what my head and my heart tells me, and I am not going to change now at 46 years of age.”
Simeone, however, refused to explain why he asked for his deal to be reduced by two years.
“It is necessary to do what we believe is right, we understand this is an important situation for everyone,” he said.
“What is signed within contracts is private. I was pretty clear in what I said. We are fine, I am happy here where I am.”
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