Simeone sets out conditions to stay, #1: World-class signings
The Argentine is pondering his future and setting conditions to the Atletico Madrid directors board if he is to stay at the Calderon, the most important being world-class signings.Copa del Rey 2017 last 16 draw: live online
Atleticos terrified Simeone might leave
Diego Simeone surprised everyone and sent fearful tremors through the Atletico Madrid camp with his post-Champions League final declarations. El Cholo is considering a departure from his Atletico Madrid. To try and change his mind, the fans are doing all they can and the club's directors are providing assurances that the manager will be able to put a squad together that can compete with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City and PSG.
Simeone believes that the growth the club has experienced since his arrival in 2011 should be relfected in the economic plan and the money should be available for top signings.
Simeone demands big-name signatures for Atleti
The Atletico bosses have promised to use the €42M earned from the sale of Jackson Martínez to Chinese club Guangzhou on another striker, as his current attacking complement does not convince him. Diego Costa is one name that has been constantly linked with a return to the Calderón.
Gaitan
The signing of the Argentine Nico Gaitán from Benfica is the club's first big attempt to show Simeone that they believe in the continuance of his project, and are willing to invest in it. Gaitán was top of Cholo's list last summer, the directors are desperate to prove that they can bring top quality to southern Madrid.
Simeone's post-match interview shocked because it was the first time the Atleti manager looked genuinely defeated, taking the defeat personally "What really hurts me is to see the hurt of the people who've paid to come here -- I feel a bit responsible that I wasn't able to give them what they wanted. That's what really hurts. I feel responsible for the fans who have bought their tickets", continuing: "the end of a cycle? I have to think about about that".
Tempting Diego
Atletico CEO Gil Marín and president Enrique Cerezo are also prepared to offer the manager an improved, extended contract to compel him to stay. Simeone, however, believes that his time at Atleti may have come to an end, and that he's taken the club as far as he can, the energy and effort required to compete with Real and Barça and to try and make it to the Champions League final again may be too much to ask.