Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid looking at Luis Enrique as a possible successor for Diego Simeone
According to Diario AS, Atletico Madrid are closely monitoring the situation of Spain national team manager Luis Enrique as a possible successor for current head coach Diego Simeone.
The 52-year-old Enrique will see his contract with the Spanish national team expire at the end of the year, following the culmination of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
It has given way to speculations over his future, with RFEF president Luis Rubiales appearing coy on whether Enrique will be offered an extension or not.
Furthermore, names like Marcelino and Ernesto Valverde are already being talked about as potential successors for the former Barcelona manager at the helm of the national team.
Given how things are, Atletico Madrid are said to be closely monitoring Enrique’s situation as they see him as a possible successor to Simeone.
Cholo has not looked his best this season with Atletico struggling to muster up the performances of the old under the Argentine tactician. It has led to doubts over his continuity among some supporters, although the club reportedly continue to back him.
However, if Enrique becomes available, CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin could make a move, having reportedly tried to appoint the 52-year-old around two years ago.
It is claimed that the Atletico Madrid CEO would be interested in hiring Enrique as he sees the former Barcelona boss as the ideal fit to take over from Simeone.
The report also claims that the Spanish federation will likely offer an extension to Enrique as well, while he is also on the radars of two clubs from the Premier League in case he decides to move on from the national team managerial duties.
So, Atletico Madrid would likely face some competition if they do indeed decide to go after Enrique’s services.
There is no doubt that Atletico Madrid are bracing themselves for a busy summer ahead as they look to address the future of some of their star players. One of them is Saul Niguez, who has fallen out of favour under Diego Simeone and could leave the club.
A recent report from Mundo Deportivo has offered an update on the future of the Spaniard, suggesting that the player has once again become a market attraction.
The versatile star was on loan at Chelsea last season, but his spell at Stamford Bridge was far from ideal, as he featured in less than 500 minutes of league football. He returned to Atletico Madrid in the summer, and even though he wanted to leave the club, a move did not materialise.
Saul was even linked with a move away from Atleti in January. But Valencia, who were interested in him at the time, could not afford the deal, particularly because of the player’s salary and transfer fees.
The report from Mundo Deportivo states that Valencia have retained their interest in the player. But in addition to Los Che, Saul has been targeted by two other Spanish teams in the form of Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla.
Rayo have expressed the desire to sign Saul in the coming season. But they are likely to face economic difficulties in funding a move for the midfielder. The same can be said for Sevilla.
Saul’s current contract at Atletico Madrid expires in 2026, a deal that was agreed when the player was at his peak. But the long contract has now come back to haunt Atleti, as they desperately look to get rid of the Spanish international.
With his suitors likely to face financial trouble in weighing up a move, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Saul in the coming summer.
Saul is not the only Atletico Madrid player facing an uncertain future, with Axel Witsel’s father also hinting at a possible exit recently.
