Atletico Madrid wants Luis Enrique if Diego Simeone leaves this summer
The ex-Spain national team coach has been without a job since the World Cup in Qatar.
The season is not over, and Atletico Madrid is already envisioning life without their longtime coach of 11 years, El Cholo Simeone. The Argentinian is a club legend by all rights. Having played with the Colchoneros and now having been with them for a decade. But all good things must come to an end.
El Cholo’s year hasn’t been the best. The year started with disagreements with team star Joao Felix and the number of minutes he’s had while at the club; the situation was so un unbearable for the player that he left in December for Chelsea in hopes of finding more minutes.
Moreover, the team was knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage, ending fourth without options to play in the Europa league. In the domestic league, the team is performing better, although the start was rooky, and just recently, the team found its form. This has prompted the team to look for other options for a future manager. Thus why, the prospect of Luis Enrique.
Is Atletico Madrid really interested in Luis Enrique?
As per reports by the Spanish TV show El Chiringuito, Los Colchoneros approached Luis Enrique before the World Cup to see if he would be interested in the job.
The offer for Luis Enrique is for three years, and it would only be effective this summer if El Cholo leaves the team. El Chiringuito states that the Madrid team will not fire the legendary manager; his leaving would have to be of both accord.
🚨 Luis Enrique has been offered a three-year contract by Atlético Madrid to take charge in the summer.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 1, 2023
But a deal will only be done if Diego Simeone decides to leave.
(Soruce: Football Espana) pic.twitter.com/fTL3sMRk62
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Los Colchoneros will have to act quickly as Lucho has been linked with other possible job options. The strongest rumor is of Chelsea, who has offered him three years and $12 million.
Rumors are strong that El Cholo is tired and wouldn’t see with bad eyes a year off football.
If Atletico Madrid manage to hire Luis Enrique as Simeone's replacement, Luis Enrique will try to sign Ferran Torres.
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 1, 2023
— @JavidelaPena pic.twitter.com/aCzRJaZFco