Madrid, Spain – Atletico Madrid has hired former midfielder Diego Simeone as coach less than 24 hours after sacking Gregorio Manzano.
Simeone won a league and cup double with Atletico as a player in the 1990's before returning to the team for another spell in 2003.
He recently parted ways with Racing in his native Argentina and he replaces Manzano on an 18-month contract, the club confirmed on Friday.
Atletico's 2-0 defeat to Real Betis this past Sunday dropped the team to 10th in La Liga before a 1-0 loss to third-tier side Albacete on Wednesday eliminated Atletico from the Copa del Rey.
Simeone's first match in charge of the club will come on January 7 against Malaga.
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