Manzano the man for Atlético
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Article summary
Club Atlético de Madrid have appointed Gregorio Manzano as the replacement for outgoing coach Luis Aragonés.
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Cup winner
Manzano, who guided RCD Mallorca to Spanish Cup success last season, was presented to the media at the Vicente Calderón stadium this afternoon. Aragonés had been informed earlier this month that he would not be in charge for the coming campaign.
European ambition
The 46-year-old Manzano said he was "proud and very happy to be coach of Atlético" - his fourth Primera División club after Mallorca, Rayo Vallecano, Real Racing Club Santander and Real Valladolid. Atlético will hope he can help them compete for a European place in the 2003/04 season.
Aiming high
"This is the biggest challenge I have had. I just hope I get the support needed to take this team as high as possible," Manzano said. "It took a long time to agree everything as Luis Aragonés was still at the club and I didn't want to disturb him," he added.
Promotion success
Aragonés, 64, had taken over at Atlético for the fifth time in his career two years ago when the club were in the second division. He won promotion in his first season back and last term led the side to a respectable 12th-place finish.
