No problem with Simeone contract: Cerezo

Madrid - Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo commented Saturday that the club was not anticipating problems in coach Diego Simeone renewing his contract at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

Since replacing Gregorio Manzano at the end of 2011, Simeone has helped give Atletico an identity and a fighting spirit which saw them win last season’s Europa League and kick off this season by lifting the European Supercup, reports Xinhua.

Not only that but Atletico are second in the Spanish Primera Liga and in the semi-final of the Copa del Rey, where they hold a 2-1 first leg lead to take to Sevilla for the second leg.

Speaking at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR), which is currently being held here, Cerezo, whose side is part-sponsored by Azerbaijan, was keen to calm nerves that Simeone could leave the club at the end of the current season when his contract is due to expire.

“Everything is going well,” said Cerezo when asked about Simeone. “The contract renewal will be made when he believes it to be convenient and when we do as well. There is no problem, the only problem is that sometimes the press ask questions about the situation at a specific moment when you can’t give an answer,” he said.

Cerezo was also asked about striker Radamel Falcao, who is back in the Atletico squad after missing a fortnight with a muscle injury. After praising Diego Costa, who scored Atletico’s two goals in the cup, Cerezo admitted he was uncertain whether or not Falcao would be in condition to play against Real Betis Sunday.

“Falcao is recovering well and that is better than the chance of him suffering a relapse. He could play against Betis, but that is down to the coach,” he said.