Diego Simeone wants the Chelsea job – on this one condition

Abramovich will have to pay a £15million to release Simeone

 

DIEGO SIMEONE reportedly wants to take the permanent job at Chelsea from next summer.

 

The Argentinian manager is currently under contract at Atletico Madrid, but according to the Mirror he is looking for a new challenge.

And both sides appear to be keen on the move, as Simeone heads the shortlist of candidates to take over from interim manager Guus Hiddink after the current season is over.

However, reports claim that Simeone will only move to Stamford Bridge on the promise of a squad overhaul, with Chelsea target and current Atletico top-scorer Antoine Griezmann a top priority.

 

Powered by the Frenchman's eight goals in 15 games, Simeone's Atletico side currently sit joint-top of La Liga with Barcelona ahead only on goal difference, and the Madrid side on a five-match winning streak.

But Jose Mourinho's departure presents an lucrative opportunity for the Argentine, and although his contract runs until 2020 there is a £15m get-out clause which Roman Abramovich will have to pay in order to get his man.

Should Simeone move to Chelsea, he will leave a substantial legacy behind him at Atletico.

 

He made more 100 appearances for the Spanish club over two spells in the mid-1990s and then again between 2003 and 2005.

And in December 2011 he was appointed manager at the Vicente Calderon, leading the side to Europa League glory in his very first season.

Since then, he has also claimed the UEFA Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, and in 2014 Simeone very nearly completed a famous double, winning La Liga and coming within a minute of Champions League final win over bitter rivals Real Madrid.