Atletico appoint Simeone

Atletico Madrid have announced Diego Simeone as their new manager after sacking Gregorio Manzano.

Former Argentina captain agrees contract until the summer of 2013

Atletico Madrid have announced Diego Simeone as their new manager after sacking Gregorio Manzano. The former Argentina captain and Atletico player has agreed a deal which runs until the summer of 2013 and he will begin his duties on Monday. Atletico's board 'unanimously' decided to part company with Manzano on Thursday following their midweek Copa del Rey exit at the hands of third-tier Albacete. Simeone's first game in charge of Atletico, who sit 10th in La Liga, will be the trip to Malaga on 8th January. Atletico said in a statement on their official website: "The Argentine coach (Simeone) has accepted the offer the club made on Thursday for the rest of this season and one more campaign and he will arrive in the Spanish capital on Monday to begin his work in charge of the team. Former Racing, River Plate and Catania boss Simone is perhaps best known in England for his role in the sending-off of David Beckham at the 1998 World Cup.