Simeone: I would never coach Real
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone stated that he would never betray his club and join cross-town rivals Real Madrid in the future.
By ESPNSTAR.com staff
Very few managers have crossed the great divide with only Radomir Antić and José Villalonga having taken up the post for both sides during their managerial careers.
Simeone has done remarkably well since taking on from Gregorio Manzano with Atleti managing to win the Europa League last season as well as posting an impressive unbeaten start to the current campaign.
But the Argentinean revealed that he would never consider joining Real even if the club came knocking with a lucrative contract offer.
"I would never coach Real Madrid because I'm sentimental about the old things. I must be mad but it lives in my heart what I feel for this football club," he told Rock and Closs radio station.
"I have a contract until the end of the season and if you know me then you know I go on feelings. At the moment I feel good and I hope we can continue game by game, achieving what I've always wanted for Atletico."
"The credit [for Atletico's good start] goes to the players and we have taken advantage of the different characteristics they possess. What we have is a strong squad, which is shown by the way in which we have scored goals.
"Today we have more goals in us as Raul Garcia has come back from Osasuna and because [Diego] Costa stayed before [Eduardo] Salvio left, which gives [Radamel] Falcao and Adrian [Lopez] many more goalscoring opportunities."
Simeone also had good words to say about star striker Radamel Falcao who recently has been said to have been on the radar of free-spending Chelsea and Manchester City.
"Radamel excites you," Simeone agreed.
"All that happens with him is not accidental. He looks for things, he wants things and he trains to be the best.
"I think he knows that this is an important time and I am convinced that right now he is at a club that is stronger than any other.
"I'm not thinking of when he will go. It's like anything else in that you have to enjoy it, live it, and whatever else happens will happen.
"Is there a replacement for him? He is different from the rest. He is a predator, aggressive, committed to working for the team; a very complete player.
"Knowing his potential he is somebody who will improve on his weaknesses because he knows what he is good at and what he is bad at. That is a great strength Falcao has."