Diego Simeone says Atletico Madrid must look to continue along the same path after he agreed a new long-term contract at the Vicente Calderon.
Simeone is now tied to Atletico until 2020 after winning plenty of silverware since arriving in 2011. Having helped the reigning Spanish champion to domestic and European success in recent seasons, Simeone is clear what the immediate future should look like for Atleti. Asked about the club's aims, he told reporters: "To be at least, for the next three years, in third place or better and to have economic stability that allows us to grow in sporting terms. "It is not going to be easy, because our rivals, in this case Sevilla, Valencia, Villarreal, grow as well - they work hard. "But we have to stay on our path. We have to try and grow in sporting terms, of course growing accordingly to what our budget allows. But our path is clear, to improve every year. "I think this is the best thing the club has, very clear ideas. This allows us all to push forward in the same direction." Atletico looks set to relinquish its Liga title this season - it trails Barcelona by nine points with 10 games remaining - although Simeone maintains the future looks bright. "We don't think about the team we'll have next year, we think about the team we have today," he added. "We think about making the most out of [Fernando] Torres's arrival, about having Raul Garcia at his best level, in the daily improvement Raul Jimenez is showing, in [Mario] Mandzukic's moment, about [Antoine] Griezmann, who is very close to scoring more goals than he has ever scored before. "These are the players who will carry us to the goals we need to achieve." The former Argentina international was due to be out of contract in 2017 but, amid speculation of interest from the likes of Manchester City, Simeone has now committed his immediate future to the club. Sister and agent Natalia suggested recently that a new deal was on the cards for the former Atleti midfielder, with the club confirming the agreement on Tuesday. "I choose to be here because I'm sure the club is going to keep growing. I see strength and enthusiasm," Simeone told reporters. "It'll be exciting to be part of the inauguration. The club is enjoying a period of huge growth. "I choose to be where I am. It's hard to make choices in life. "I'm sure that I'm making the right choice and I choose to be here, because I'm sure the club is going to keep growing." Since arriving from Racing in 2011, Simeone has won silverware in every season - enjoying UEFA Europa League, Copa del Rey and La Liga successes. Last season's Spanish title was the club's first since 1996 with Simeone receiving plaudits for his side's tenacity and aggression as it held off traditional heavyweights Real Madrid and Barcelona. Simeone's side remains in the running for UEFA Champions League glory this season - it will come up against city rival Madrid in the competition's quarter-finals next month in a rematch of last year's final, won 4-1 after extra-time by Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Simeone is now tied to Atletico until 2020 after winning plenty of silverware since arriving in 2011. Having helped the reigning Spanish champion to domestic and European success in recent seasons, Simeone is clear what the immediate future should look like for Atleti. Asked about the club's aims, he told reporters: "To be at least, for the next three years, in third place or better and to have economic stability that allows us to grow in sporting terms. "It is not going to be easy, because our rivals, in this case Sevilla, Valencia, Villarreal, grow as well - they work hard. "But we have to stay on our path. We have to try and grow in sporting terms, of course growing accordingly to what our budget allows. But our path is clear, to improve every year. "I think this is the best thing the club has, very clear ideas. This allows us all to push forward in the same direction." Atletico looks set to relinquish its Liga title this season - it trails Barcelona by nine points with 10 games remaining - although Simeone maintains the future looks bright. "We don't think about the team we'll have next year, we think about the team we have today," he added. "We think about making the most out of [Fernando] Torres's arrival, about having Raul Garcia at his best level, in the daily improvement Raul Jimenez is showing, in [Mario] Mandzukic's moment, about [Antoine] Griezmann, who is very close to scoring more goals than he has ever scored before. "These are the players who will carry us to the goals we need to achieve." The former Argentina international was due to be out of contract in 2017 but, amid speculation of interest from the likes of Manchester City, Simeone has now committed his immediate future to the club. Sister and agent Natalia suggested recently that a new deal was on the cards for the former Atleti midfielder, with the club confirming the agreement on Tuesday. "I choose to be here because I'm sure the club is going to keep growing. I see strength and enthusiasm," Simeone told reporters. "It'll be exciting to be part of the inauguration. The club is enjoying a period of huge growth. "I choose to be where I am. It's hard to make choices in life. "I'm sure that I'm making the right choice and I choose to be here, because I'm sure the club is going to keep growing." Since arriving from Racing in 2011, Simeone has won silverware in every season - enjoying UEFA Europa League, Copa del Rey and La Liga successes. Last season's Spanish title was the club's first since 1996 with Simeone receiving plaudits for his side's tenacity and aggression as it held off traditional heavyweights Real Madrid and Barcelona. Simeone's side remains in the running for UEFA Champions League glory this season - it will come up against city rival Madrid in the competition's quarter-finals next month in a rematch of last year's final, won 4-1 after extra-time by Carlo Ancelotti's side.
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