Manzano wants more time

Gregorio Manzano wants more time to complete his Atletico Madrid project as pressure increased with a defeat against Espanyol.

Atletico boss believes he is the man for the job

Gregorio Manzano wants more time to complete his Atletico Madrid project as pressure increased with a defeat against Espanyol. Los Colchoneros' head coach has struggled to turn his team's fortunes around this term and talk is rife that a new boss could be sought if the trend continues. Manzano remains defiant, stating he will be able to finish the job he has started providing the board retain faith. "I started this project and I want to complete it if they will let me," he stated. "Because of that my commitment is total and nobody but nobody is going to weaken the firm hand that I have here. "Nobody else should worry about whether I go or not, for me that means nothing because all that worries me is the game tomorrow and there is nothing else."

Unsurprised

Atletico take on Rennes on Thursday having already qualified for the Europa League's round of 32, but the board are unhappy the team is 10th in Spain's top flight. The experienced Manzano is accustomed to the speculation and believes talk of whether or not he will stay is par for the course. "I know the club and how it works for the all the good things as much as all the bad," he continued. "Nothing that I read, hear or see surprises me. On the good side it is the best club in Spain and on the bad side it is the complete opposite. "The positives are never looked at and focussed on while the negative things are always amplified. "We should focus on the good things that we can do tomorrow."