During an interview with the Italian news outlet Sport Mediaset, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone once again reinforced his desire to return to Inter Milan and coach his former team.
Simeone played two seasons for the Nerazzurri from 1997-99, winning the UEFA Cup in 1998, and has made no secret of his desire to return to Italy over the past few seasons.
The former Argentine international is one of the hottest properties in soccer management. During his time in Spain, Atletico Madrid have won a Europa League title, the UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Supercopa, Copa del Rey and a La Liga title.
Los Colchoneros have also advanced to their second Champions League semi-final in three seasons – finishing runners-up in the competition during the 2013-14 campaign.
In recent years, Simeone has been linked with moves to Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. There has always been a fear among Atletico Madrid supporters that Simeone would be tempted to leave the Vicente Calderon for greener pastures.
However, the 45-year-old signed a contract extension with Atletico Madrid last year binding him to the club until June 2020.
That deal had many believing Simeone would remain in Spain and continue the football renaissance he started in 2011.
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However, today, Mediaset reports that Simeone has admitted speaking about a return to Inter Milan with his former teammate Javier Zanetti, who is currently the Serie A club’s vice-president.
“We’ve exchanged a few words on the phone and as I’ve always said, and I have no fear of saying it again now, one day I will return to Milan because I did well there and left a great memory there, and I have the objective of going back as a coach,” Simeone stated.
