Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin has confirmed that manager Diego Simeone will stay with their club for at least one more season after the current season.
Diego Simeone is in contract with the Spanish side until the summer of 2018 but has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United in the past but Arsenal were always considered favourites as he is looked as an ideal replacement for Arsene Wenger.
The Argentine have grown to become one of the best managers in the world having led Atletico Madrid to two Champions League finals and a La Liga glory over the past three years. With Manchester United appointing Jose Mourinho and Chelsea appointing Antonio Conte, Arsenal are the only side that is ready to meet the manager’s demands.
Arsene Wenger who have served Gunners over the last 20 years is into his last year of his contract and Diego Simeone has been heavily linked with a move to Emirates next summer. But RojoBlancos are keen to keep hold of him at least until the end of his current contract and Arsenal should wait a little longer before making a swoop for the young tactician.
‘Simeone will remain at Atletico for the rest of this season and the next,’ Gil Marin told La Sexta.
‘He has been with us for five years and it would be reasonable if he stayed with us many more because we are delighted.
‘We continue to grow, both him and the club, and what would be most intelligent for both parts would be to continue.’
Arsenal will now look to extend Wenger’s contract by one more season as they are keen to replace him only with another world class manager as the Frenchman has taken the club from ruins to new heights in his 20-year reign at the club.