Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone made it abundantly clear that he will be managing Inter Milan in the future in a press conference in Munich before his side’s Champions League clash against Carlo Ancelotti’s Bayern Munich.
Diego Simeone won the UEFA Cup with the Italian club as a player back in 1998 and also pledged to return and manage his former team. Speculation of him joining Inter Milan heated up after his son Giovanni Simeone who plays for Genoa FC, stated last week that his father will most likely be leading the Nerazzurri in the near future.
The Argentine manager has now openly admitted that there is “nothing new” about what his son said to the media and that he will, in fact, be managing the Italian team one day. Simeone also insisted that he is completely focussed on his current job with Atletico Madrid.
"It is normal that my son, my father or my sister says that one day I will coach Inter," Simeone said. "It is nothing new, nor is it news. I do not have to speak about my future because that is very clear. I am excited about this game, and the size of the opponent."
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The 46-year-old manager has been with Atletico Madrid for more than four years now and has enjoyed tremendous success at the Estadio Vicente Calderon. His managerial skills and his recent reduction in his contract length with the club saw him linked with many other top jobs in Europe.
To everyone’s surprise, Atletico Madrid have already won Group D when most were expecting Bayern Munich to be in their position. Atletico won five out of their six group games but could not overcome Bayern in the final match of the Champions League group stages.
"I am motivated by every game we have played since I joined Atletico," Simeone said. "Sometimes it is more important to play for pride than for points,” he added.
Although Ancelotti hasn’t won all his games in the Group stages of the Champions League, Simeone believes the Italian will fight till the end to lift the prestigious trophy.
"Over time teams go through different runs of form," he said. "Ancelotti has come to a new team, but knowing him well I have no doubts that they will fight for what this club's wants which is the Champions League trophy.”
Atletico Madrid are currently 4th in the La Liga table nine points behind League leaders, Real Madrid. Simeone’s men will face Villarreal in their next La Liga outing.