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Atletico Madrid's Gregorio Manzano unperturbed about sacking reports
The Spanish trainer gave little importance to the rumours about his job but did not resist the urge to lament the atmosphere surrounding the team in the last weeks
Dec 14, 2011 7:11:00 PM
By Luis Mira
Atletico Madrid coach Gregorio Manzano has guaranteed he is not paying attention to suggestions he may soon be given his marching orders.
The 55-year-old coach is under extreme pressure as Atletico lie in 10th position in the Liga standings, 18 points shy of leaders Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Atletico sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero did little to calm speculation about Manzano's future on Tuesday after stating the club would review the coach's work during the winter break.
The former Sevilla coach, however, has guaranteed that his only worry is Thursday's Europa League contest with Rennes and played down reports about the club's hot-seat.
"I have started a project and I want to finish it, if I am allowed to," Manzano told a press conference. "That is why I stand firm, nothing and no one will deviate my strong hand.
"Do not worry about my exit, those stories do not mean anything to me, what I am worried about is tomorrow's match, there is no other possible answer."
Manzano, who was appointed as Atletico's coach in the summer, then criticised the tense atmosphere which surrounds the club and that he is experiencing first-hand.
"I know the club and its atmosphere, in the good things and not-so-good things," he added. "This is the best club in Spain in the good things, but in the rest, it is just the opposite.
"There is no patience to say what has been acknowledged by the club, by myself and the players. We acknowledge we have been a disaster away from home and we apologize for that.
"But these are the same players who are doing magnificent work at home. But people do not buy that. The positive situations are not given importance to, but the negative ones are amplified.
"Against Rennes, we will be playing for the first place in the group, in a competition which was very hard at the beginning. Let us focus on what we can accomplish tomorrow and not go on the pitch like if we had killed someone."
The 55-year-old coach is under extreme pressure as Atletico lie in 10th position in the Liga standings, 18 points shy of leaders Barcelona and Real Madrid.
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Atletico sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero did little to calm speculation about Manzano's future on Tuesday after stating the club would review the coach's work during the winter break.
The former Sevilla coach, however, has guaranteed that his only worry is Thursday's Europa League contest with Rennes and played down reports about the club's hot-seat.
"I have started a project and I want to finish it, if I am allowed to," Manzano told a press conference. "That is why I stand firm, nothing and no one will deviate my strong hand.
"Do not worry about my exit, those stories do not mean anything to me, what I am worried about is tomorrow's match, there is no other possible answer."
Manzano, who was appointed as Atletico's coach in the summer, then criticised the tense atmosphere which surrounds the club and that he is experiencing first-hand.
"I know the club and its atmosphere, in the good things and not-so-good things," he added. "This is the best club in Spain in the good things, but in the rest, it is just the opposite.
"There is no patience to say what has been acknowledged by the club, by myself and the players. We acknowledge we have been a disaster away from home and we apologize for that.
"But these are the same players who are doing magnificent work at home. But people do not buy that. The positive situations are not given importance to, but the negative ones are amplified.
"Against Rennes, we will be playing for the first place in the group, in a competition which was very hard at the beginning. Let us focus on what we can accomplish tomorrow and not go on the pitch like if we had killed someone."
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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