Atletico Madrid has hired former Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone as its new coach to replace the fired Gregorio Manzano.
Atletico said today that Simeone has signed a contract until the end of the 2012-13 season.
Manzano was fired on Thursday, a day after Atletico was eliminated from the Copa del Rey by third-tier Albacete.
Simeone is a former Atletico player who also led Estudiantes and River Plate to Argentine league titles. His appointment has been expected since he quit as coach of Racing Club earlier this week, even before Mazano was fired.
Atletico has struggled since the exit of South American strikers Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan in the off-season, sitting 10th in the Spanish league and four points above the relegation zone.
AP
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