Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has insisted that he has no plans to leave the Spanish giants following their failure to qualify for the knockout round of the Champions League.
The Red and Whites saw their hopes of reaching the round of 16 end on Wednesday evening when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Bayer Leverkusen at Wanda Metropolitano.
The result left Atletico in third spot in Group B, four points behind second-placed Porto, who have joined Club Brugge in qualifying for the next round though the section.
The Madrid giants will therefore battle Leverkusen for the Europa League position on the final matchday, with Atletico heading to Porto and Leverkusen hosting Club Brugge.
The home side had the chance to secure all three points in the latter stages from the penalty spot, but Yannick Carrasco saw his effort saved by Lukas Hradecky, before Saul Niguez hit the crossbar from the rebound.
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Simeone's future has been called into question following the Champions League exit, but the Argentine has said that he is planning to continue at Wanda Metropolitano.
"It's the hardest moment but I'm going to continue insisting on this club to get something we need, such as the Champions League," Simeone told reporters.
"It summarises a little what our play was until today in this competition. Everything has been a significant struggle, in many of the games where we did not gain points, we could have scored a few more goals if we were more effective.
"The final images, with the missed penalty, the shot against the crossbar and the shot against Carrasco, sum it up.
"It is clear that we are not looking for excuses, we did not do [many] things. In this match there was a second half of the highest level, good play, scoring situations, counterattacks well stopped by [Jan] Oblak, the team gave everything at all times. It annoys you not being able to go to Porto with the possibility of continuing."
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Simeone has been in charge of Atletico since December 2011, winning two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and two Europa League crowns.
The former midfielder has also led the Red and Whites into two Champions League finals, losing to Real Madrid on both occasions.
Simeone's current deal is due to expire in June 2024, but there have been claims that the club want to open talks with the head coach over an extension.
Atletico will be bidding to return to winning ways on Saturday afternoon when they make the trip to Cadiz in La Liga.
The capital outfit have been victorious in four of their last five games in the league, including a 2-1 success at Real Betis last time out, and their recent run has left them in third spot in the table on 23 points.
Matt Law
