MADRID, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- It is almost three years since Diego Simeone was named as the coach of Atletico Madrid to replace the unpopular Gregorio Manzano.
Manzano's second term at the Vicente Calderon had stagnated in the face of poor results and hostility from the fans and the naming of Simeone, who had been a hero as a player, was the best way for the club to get the fans back on board again.
Nobody could have expected three years packed with success, however, as Simeone led Atletico to the Europa League and the European Supercup before following that up with a triumph in the King's Cup over local rivals Real Madrid in Real's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and topping those achievements off last season by guiding Atletico to an unlikely BBVA Primera Liga title and an appearance in the final of the Champions League.
That success has made Simeone the focus of attention for other clubs in Europe and it is not surprising that the Argentinean has begun to be linked with almost every big job that comes available.
Speaking in Spanish sports paper, Diario Marca, Simeone assured Atletico fans he had no immediate plans to move.
"I am very happy at Atletico Madrid," he assured. "I want to continue growing and I am not satisfied with anything. I don't know what the ceiling is for this club, but I am going to keep on looking for it."
The coach has long insisted the need to take matters game by game and true to that philosophy, he was unwilling to look for aims beyond Saturday's league game against in-form Malaga.
"I am pleased to have reached three years at the club and it is extra special to do so at one which I love so much. I always think that one day I may get the sack so for the moment, all I look ahead to is the Malaga match," concluded Simeone.