Simeone brings Atletico renewed hope

New Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says that he is hopeful of turning his side’s fortunes around.

The 41-year-old was installed at the Vicente Calderon last week after the club parted company with Gregorio Manzano following a dismal start to the season.

Simeone, who played for Atletico across two different spells between 1994-1997 and 2003-2005, confessed his happiness to return to the capital-city club and noted that he is aware of the hard task that lies ahead.

“I have come with a lot of hope,” he told reporters upon landing in Madrid. “We need to be calm. We have come here to work.”

“We will do what we always did when we were playing, which is to go match-by-match.”

“There is always hope, calmness and joy, especially joy to return to Atletico. When I left the club, there was one goal, but now we have a different one.”

“We are going to have to work, which is what is most important.”

Atletico, who currently lie in 10th position in the La Liga standings, will travel to Malaga on January 7 in their first match of 2012.

The team are through to the Europa League round of 32, where they will tackle Lazio, but have bowed out of the Copa del Rey after losing to Albacete.