Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid contact former Barcelona manager as uncertainty looms over Simeone – report
Following Atletico Madrid’s 2-1 loss to FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, question marks are being raised over the future of Diego Simeone.
The defeat in Portugal meant that not only Atletico crashed out of the Champions League but also missed out on a Europa League berth as they finished fourth in Group B, behind Porto, Club Brugge and Bayer Leverkusen.
A serious inquest will likely be carried out within the club following the disastrous run in Europe during which they won just one game and lost three (D2).
While it has been claimed that manager Simeone has the backing of the board, it might not be the case, with reports claiming that Los Colchoneros are already sounding out potential replacements for the Argentine.
Indeed, according to Javi de la Pena on El Chiringuito TV, Atletico Madrid have contacted the entourage of former Barcelona boss and current Spain national team manager Luis Enrique, as a possible candidate to take over from Simeone at the Civitas Metropolitano.
The 52-year-old has not managed any club since stepping down from Barcelona in 2017 and has been in charge of the Spanish national team ever since, barring a small period in 2019 when he took a leave of absence for personal reasons.
But Enrique’s contract with La Roja stands to expire at the end of the year, soon after the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. And Atletico Madrid could be ready to move in when that happens as they have reportedly contacted his camp already.
A highly successful manager at the club and international level, Enrique could be a shrewd appointment for the Rojiblancos if indeed they have made up their mind to move on from Simeone.
El Cholo has been in charge of Atletico since 2011 and is closing in on 600 matches managed at the club. A legend at the Civitas Metropolitano, the 52-year-old has led the team to two La Liga title triumphs and two UEFA Europa League trophies.
But given how things have been going this season, it seems like Atletico have reached the end of the cycle under Simeone and a change could be in the offing.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid, Chelsea contact PSG midfielder’s agent with player set to leave
Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are among the clubs that have made contact with the agent of PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes, who is set to leave this summer.
This claim comes from journalist Martin Arevalo on ESPN, who states that apart from Atletico and Chelsea, an unnamed third club have also established contact with the Argentine international’s representative.
Paredes has been on PSG’s books since January 2019, when he arrived from Zenit St. Petersburg. For a large part of his time at the French capital outfit, the midfielder had been a regular starter in the side.
However, last summer saw Paredes get shipped out on loan to Juventus. He has played 33 times for the Bianconeri this season with a return of one goal and assist apiece.
The Serie A heavyweights, who were recently hit with a 10-point deduction, have the option to purchase him permanently. But, as per the report, his relationship with manager Massimiliano Allegri is not good and a return to PSG is on the cards.
And considering that he is not in the plans back at Parc des Princes either, a permanent departure away seems set in stone for Paredes.
As such, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and an unnamed club have shown interest in acquiring his services by making contact with the 28-year-old World Cup winner’s agent.
With Koke entering the final phase of his career and Geoffrey Kondogbia expected to leave at the end of the season, the Rojiblancos could do with reinforcements in the centre of the park.
Paredes, who has plenty of experience at the highest level and is known for his aggressive mentality, can be a good fit into Diego Simeone’s setup at the Civitas Metropolitano.
But, with Chelsea also in the picture, things could get tricky for the Colchoneros. After all, Atleti are operating on tight finances and are looking for bargain and free transfer signings in the market with the likes of Marcus Thuram, Jordi Alba, and Raphael Guerreiro emerging as targets.
