Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has opened up on the recent talk of him taking over at Chelsea by distancing himself from the role, the Daily Star reports.
The 45-year-old has been one of the names mentioned as a possible long-term successor to Jose Mourinho, who was given his marching orders last week, but the former Argentine international has insisted that he is happy to remain in the Spanish capital for the time being.
When Spanish publication El Pais asked him about the links to Stamford Bridge, he replied: “Why can’t I be here longer?
“Why did I choose a five-year contract? Because I see a club that is ‘virgin’ and Miguel Ángel [Gil Marín, the chief executive] and Enrique [Cerezo, the president] have the ability to open up new sources to strengthen in. It’s not easy to leave Atlético.”
And though Atleti lack the financial clout of Chelsea, Simeone has insisted that he is more than happy with the calibre of players he has at his disposal at the Vicente Calderon.
“We have a potential that no one has. Oblak, Gimenez, Vietto, Carrasco, Oliver, Koke, Correa, Saul, Lucas, Thomas … 10 young players and the veterans are at the perfect age.”
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