The former Argentina captain promises big things at the Vicente Calderon.
Diego Simeone promised to help Atletico Madrid relive its glory days upon his official presentation as the new coach of the club at the Vicente Calderon stadium on Tuesday.
Simeone, 41, was brought in to replace Gregorio Manzano after Atletico's horrendous start to the season, where not only do they lie in 10th place in La Liga but last week were knocked out of the Copa del Rey at the hands of third-tier Albacete.
"I like an aggressive team. I want to see a strong team, a team which is committed and quick on the break. These are things which Atletico fans have always liked and which they identify themselves with for the love of this shirt," Simeone stated to the press during his first news conference as the coach of the club.
Simeone is a popular figure at the Vicente Calderon, where he played between 1994 and 1997 and then again between 2003 and 2005. During his first stint at the club he won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey. As a coach he has won two titles in the Argentine championship, first with Estudiantes de La Plata and then with River Plate.
"To return to Atletico as a coach was always an objective of mine. I'm going to bring the work ethic and enthusiasm I have always had. It is a huge responsibility but it doesn't scare me, it motivates me. I have always risen to challenges and this is just one more," affirmed the 41-year-old Argentine.
The coach was called upon to turn around the fortunes of the club, who despite winning the Europa League and European Super Cup 18 months ago, have been utterly disappointing since the departures of Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero.
Atleti's only bright spot this season has been the form of new acquisition Radamel Falcao Garcia, but the Colombian striker hasn't been able to do everything on his own.
Simeone's first match in charge of Atletico Madrid will be against Malaga when La Liga resumes on January 7.
Simeone, 41, was brought in to replace Gregorio Manzano after Atletico's horrendous start to the season, where not only do they lie in 10th place in La Liga but last week were knocked out of the Copa del Rey at the hands of third-tier Albacete.
"I like an aggressive team. I want to see a strong team, a team which is committed and quick on the break. These are things which Atletico fans have always liked and which they identify themselves with for the love of this shirt," Simeone stated to the press during his first news conference as the coach of the club.
Simeone is a popular figure at the Vicente Calderon, where he played between 1994 and 1997 and then again between 2003 and 2005. During his first stint at the club he won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey. As a coach he has won two titles in the Argentine championship, first with Estudiantes de La Plata and then with River Plate.
"To return to Atletico as a coach was always an objective of mine. I'm going to bring the work ethic and enthusiasm I have always had. It is a huge responsibility but it doesn't scare me, it motivates me. I have always risen to challenges and this is just one more," affirmed the 41-year-old Argentine.
The coach was called upon to turn around the fortunes of the club, who despite winning the Europa League and European Super Cup 18 months ago, have been utterly disappointing since the departures of Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero.
Atleti's only bright spot this season has been the form of new acquisition Radamel Falcao Garcia, but the Colombian striker hasn't been able to do everything on his own.
Simeone's first match in charge of Atletico Madrid will be against Malaga when La Liga resumes on January 7.
