MADRID - Atletico Madrid this Friday confirmed Diego Simeone as the new coach of the BBVA Primera Liga club.

Simeone replaces Gregorio Manzano, who was sacked by Atletico on Thursday following his side's defeat to Albacete in the Spanish Copa del Rey and a poor start to the season that has left the club just four points above the relegation zone in Spain's top flight.

By choosing Simeone, Atletico's Directors, Miguel Angel Gil and Enrique Cerezo have chosen a man who was a hero with the Atletico Madrid fans during his period as a player at the club in an attempt to divert some criticism from their direction of the club in recent years.

Simeone becomes the 49th coach at Atletico since Miguel Angel's father, Jesus Gil took control of the club in 1987. The 41-year-old was a key part of the Atletico Madrid side that won a league and cup double in the 1995-96 season, before leaving to play in Italy, where he played for Inter Milan and Lazio.

He returned for another year at Atletico late in his career in 2003, but again left the club to end his playing career in his homeland.

Moving into coaching after hanging up his boots, Simeone worked with Racing Club, before working with River Plate, Estudiantes, San Lorenzo and with Italian side Catania, before returning to Racing, who he abandoned at the end of last week.

That move prompted speculation that Atletico had approached Simeone with a view to him replacing Manzano and those expectations have been fulfilled. Simeone has signed a deal for the remainder of this season and the 2012-2013 campaign.