Simeone returns to take Atlético reins
Friday, December 23, 2011
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Diego Simeone has returned to UEFA Europa League contenders Club Atlético de Madrid as coach, replacing Gregorio Manzano at the club he twice represented as a midfielder.
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UEFA Europa League challengers Club Atlético de Madrid have named Diego Simeone as their new coach following the dismissal of Gregorio Manzano.
The former Argentina midfielder, 41, scored 23 goals in 134 appearances during two spells at Atlético, winning a domestic double in 1995/96. Simeone moved to Europe to join AC Pisa and then Sevilla FC, signing for Atlético from 1994-97. He then won the 1997/98 UEFA Cup with FC Internazionale Milano and an Italian double with S.S. Lazio, returning to the Vicente Calderón again from 2003-05.
Capped 106 times, Simeone coached Racing Club de Avellaneda, Club Estudiantes de La Plata, CA River Plate and CA San Lorenzo in Argentina, and helped Calcio Catania avoid relegation in Italy earlier this year.
Atlético lie in mid-table in Spain, with five wins in 16 Liga games, but face the mouthwatering prospect of a UEFA Europa League round of 32 tie against Simeone's old club, Lazio, in February.