Diego Simeone has spoken out about recent links with a move to becoming a manager in the Saudi Pro League, amid the myriad of money being offered to some of Europe’s top talents.
Simeone, who has been the manager of Atletico Madrid since he was appointed back in December of 2011, has been influential to the Spanish side as they won two La Liga titles and have also reached two UEFA Champions League Finals.
The two European Cup final defeats were both at the hands of a Real Madrid side who were at the peak of their powers. The Argentine has been an influential figure for the Spanish giants.
Simeone, who reportedly earns £570,000 a week in Spain according to The Sun, has been tentatively linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, with the clubs in the Middle East trying their best to lure some of Europe’s best to the division.
They have succeeded in that regard with player recruitment but have struggled to attract the calibre of managers to the league that they would have hoped.
Simeone rubbishes talk of move
Simeone, in his typically brash and honest way, rubbished any talks of moving to Saudi Arabia. The Argentine received a lucrative offer to manage Al-Ahli last month but turned it down according to ESPN. The Saudi side recently appointed former RB Salzburg coach Matthias Jaissle as their new manager.
Now, according to Marca, the manager has rubbished any talk of a move. “Did the Saudi offer make me hesitate? No, the truth is that I’m very happy where I am. I’m very happy to be at Atlético,” the Argentine said.
“I did not hesitate with the offer from Saudi Arabia, not even if they increased it. I’m happy at Atlético.”
Simeone, 53, will be hoping that this year will be another special year for the Spanish side, with La Liga in their sights and maybe even a deeper run in the UEFA Champions League this season.
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