- Diego Simeone
Atletico Madrid’s Fernando Torres has said there is no reason that Diego Simeone should not stay on as manager of the club, despite their second Champions League final loss to Real Madrid in three years.
Simeone was downbeat in Milan after his side had been beaten 5-3 on penalties by Real Madrid, just two years after they had suffered similar heartbreak when losing the Champions League decider 4-1 in extra time to their city rivals.
The Argentine coach told reporters then that he “needed to think” about what had happened and refused to confirm that he would stay for next season.
Torres on Thursday said that he wanted Simeone to stay on and that any comments regarding the Argentine coach’s future at this point were all speculation.
“It is a hypothesis that is not reality right now. We all want him to stay, we would love for him to stay,” Torres said during a public appearance. “He has asked for time to think and reflect and he has earned that. The rest [of the talk] is all hypotheses.”
The 32-year-old Spaniard found a new lease of life at his boyhood club under Simeone, having been written off by many when he left Stamford Bridge after four frustrating years.
He added that losing a final such as Champions League with Atletico is different than any match loss he has felt with the national team or with any other club.
“What is great about life and football is to have the feeling for what you are doing, to enjoy the ride. And I have done that here each day. We eliminated six champions, not just three. So it is not right and you can’t compare what has happened to me at this club to what has happened in others. What I have gone through here has been bigger. The disappointment has also been bigger. The sadness is bigger because all those emotions go with it.”
Torres also said he thinks his contract renewal is imminent.
“Right now we are going over the final details,” he said. “Everyone knows what I want to do and I hope it can be announced soon. I hope very to soon that I can say it is a reality instead of a wish.”
Finally, he reiterated his support for the Spanish national team despite his exclusion.
“I wish them only the best, the coach and the players,” he said. “There is plenty of quality there and enough of a team to win [Euro 2016]. The team spirit has been fundamental.”
