Diego Simeone reduces his contract at Atletico Madrid as uncertainty looms

Diego Simeone has had his contract at Atletico Madrid reduced by two years, according to reports in Marca and AS. The move would mean he is free to leave the club in the summer of 2018 instead of 2020 as the original contract stated.

Atletico Madrid have suffered two Champions League final defeats in three years despite winning La Liga in unlikely circumstances during the 2013-14. Simeone suggested he would have to think long and hard about his future after their most recent defeat to Real Madrid on penalties in Europe’s elite competition. He stated after, however, that this was simply a moment of uncertainty and said it was normal that he would assess such a hectic season at its conclusion.

The 46-year-old said recently that he wanted to be the club’s manager when they moved to their new stadium on the outskirts of Madrid in 2017. This would mean he leaves the club at the end of next season without officially saying as much.

The Argentine manager has overseen the most fruitful period in the history of the club but that success has seen Cholo’s admirers grow exponentially too. Many believe he has constructed one of the most formidable teams in Europe with little or not foundation to build from.

Fernando Torres was firm, if non-committal, during the post-match press conference for the Sporting Gijon game on Saturday per ESPNFC.

"Let's be real. We are one month into the season and this is a very important year for us. We want to grow after a very good season with a very complicated final.

"We are not going to get distracted thinking about what could happen nine months or a year from now.

"We aren't going to create obstacles for ourselves. I have no idea if those reports are true or not,” he said.

Where does Simeone go next?

Simeone has declared he would return to Italy one day where his family roots are. He has stated he would return to Inter Milan to coach the team he played with from 1997 until 1999.

"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 coach," Simeone said regarding his return to Serie A.

With Juventus holding a monopoly on the Scudetto and Inter struggling through a difficult period, Simeone might see this project as something similar to that of Atletico’s when he took over in 2011.

On the other hand, a number of high profile managers have moved to the Premier League recently and Simeone might want to test himself against the best Europe and the world has to offer but it is believed he speaks little English - although that would not be a major hurdle to overcome.

The big question is, provided the rumours are substantiated, who replaces Simeone in Atletico’s dugout? It might be better not to even ask.