Atletico Madrid want Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino to replace current manager Diego Simeone in the summer
In September this year, Diego Simeone confirmed to the media that he had his Atletico Madrid contract shortened by two years, fuelling speculation that he might leave the Vicente Calderon in the near future. The Argentine was heavily linked with a move away in the summer, but ultimately decided to stay back.
He had previously stated that he would one day return to Inter Milan, where he spent 2 years as a player, saying that he wished to take over the managerial reigns at the club.
According to a report in the Mirror, Atletico Madrid have set their sights on Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino as a possible replacement for the 46-year-old Simeone.
The report states that their cross town rivals Real Madrid are also monitoring Pochettino as they look to plan for the long term, and the two Madrid giants could one day be embroiled in a tussle to bring the Spurs boss to their side of the Spanish capital.
However, with the current state of Real Madrid’s form, it is unlikely that Los Blancos have any intention of letting Zinedine Zidane leave the club, especially after he won the Champions League a mere 7 months back and is currently on a superb unbeaten streak.
He is already an established club legend and has his sons in their academy, so his personal affiliations will the club and his relationship with the fans is another reason why the Real Madrid hierarchy would want to keep the Frenchman at the club.
READ MORE: THREE POSSIBLE DESTINATIONS FOR DIEGO SIMEONE IF HE CHOOSES TO LEAVE ATLETICO MADRID
Pochettino was strongly linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer and was reportedly contacted by the Red Devils last season in February, over the possibility of him taking over from Louis Van Gaal in the summer, before that position ultimately went to Jose Mourinho.
Pochettino has emerged as one of the brightest young managers in all of Europe after he moved to the Premier League in the summer of 2013 and his exploits with Southampton and now Tottenham Hotspur have garnered a lot of praise.
With Diego Simeone almost sure to leave in the summer, most likely to Inter Milan who now have the financial backing of new Chinese owners, Daniel Levy will surely to do everything in his power to keep his star man at White Hart Lane should Los Rojiblancos attempt to sign him.
In the summer, he rewarded the 44-year-old with a brand new contract which runs till 2021 but should Atletico Madrid come calling, the Argentine’s ambition and Atletico’s Champions League participation may convince him to try and force a move.
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