Football: 'Exhausted' Sacchi quits Atletico

ARRIGO SACCHI, who turned Milan into one of Europe's greatest club sides and took Italy to the World Cup final, resigned as coach of Atletico Madrid yesterday and quit the game, complaining of exhaustion.

The 52-year-old was eight months into a two-year contract at the Spanish Primera Division club, which he confirmed would be his last job in a 22- year career as a professional coach. His apparently voluntary departure came after reports of his dismissal on Sunday.

Sacchi resigned after three successive defeats which saw Atletico slip to ninth in the 20-team Spanish League, 11 points behind the leaders Barcelona.

"From now on I'm no longer coach of Atletico Madrid," Sacchi, who led Milan to European Cup triumphs in 1989 and 1990 and Italy to the 1994 World Cup final, said. "I'm also bringing to an end my career as a football coach."

Sacchi, who arrived smiling and relaxed but looked close to tears as he read from a prepared statement, added: "I'm exhausted, which is why I've taken the decision. Today I'm quitting football. I haven't anything else to say."

Sacchi is the sixth coach to part company with a Spanish Primera Division club this season. He will be replaced in the short term by the reserve- team coach, Carlos Aguiar.

Sacchi, who replaced Radomir Antic last May, had been the 21st coaching appointment by the club president, Jesus Gil, in his 12 years at the club.

Gil paid tribute to Sacchi, saying the Italian had left "as a gentleman". He added: "The players were just unable to adapt to his system of play."

The other coach in the Spanish capital, Guus Hiddink, seems to be safe - for now. After Real Madrid were thrashed 3-0 by their bitter rivals, Barcelona, at the weekend, speculation was rife that the Dutchman would be joining Sacchi in searching for a new job.

However, Real are keeping faith with their coach. "Hiddink will continue," the Real president, Lorenzo Sanz, was quoted by the newspaper El Pais as saying. "I don't even know why you are asking me this."