Defending champions Atletico Madrid began training for the new La Liga season with some positive news from management.
The club's long-serving head coach Diego Simeone has signed a contract extension until 2024, the club announced.
Simeone guided Atletico to the LaLiga title last season, finishing ahead of city rivals Real Madrid.
As a player the Argentine won the domestic double in 1996 with the club during a five-year spell as a player and arrived at Atletico as coach in 2011.
During Simeone's tenure as manager, Atletico have won eight titles, including two La Liga crowns (2014, 2021) and two Europa Leagues (2012, 2018). The club has also lost two Champions League finals against Real Madrid (2014, 2016) in that period.
Simeone's backroom staff Oscar Ortega, Pablo Vercellone, Nelson Vivas and Hernan Bonvicini have also signed contract extensions until 2024.
"With this contract extension, we continue our exciting project with Diego Pablo Simeone. Fantastic news for the Atleti family," Atletico said.
Last season, Atletico secured their 11th title and first since 2014 with 86 points, two clear of Real in second place. Simeone, 51, has managed 527 games at the club, winning 60 per cent of the games.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
The specs
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Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
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On sale: now
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
