Atlético reward for Ferrando

Club Atlético de Madrid have extended the contract of coach César Ferrando by an extra year as a reward for the team's progress in the Primera División.

News confirmed
The 45-year-old signed a one-season deal after arriving in the Spanish capital from Albacete Balompié in May, and the extension means he is now contracted until June 2006. Chairman Enrique Cerezo announced the new deal at the Vicente Calderón, saying: "During a meeting held two days ago, we agreed that everyone is happy with the work César has been doing and that we were keen to avoid a situation where, come January, the question of his continuation would become a issue until the end of the season."

Ferrando 'happy'
Ferrando has guided the team to sixth place in the table where they are just three points behind second-placed neighbours Real Madrid CF. He said: "I would like to thank the chairman and board of directors for the confidence they have placed in me. I hope that things turn out well and that I am able to take the team as high as possible. I am very happy with the way everything is going."