Diego Simeone Urges Atletico Fans to 'Stay Calm' After 2-Year Contract Reduction

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has encouraged the club's fans to "stay calm" after it emerged on Friday that his contract at the Vicente Calderon had been shortened by two years.

Los Rojiblancos' chief confirmed his contract will now expire in 2018, instead of the previous date of 2020, but Simeone also urged supporters of the club not to panic, per Football Espana:

"

We have spoken with the club and have made the best decision for the club.

We have decided this agreement together, the situation is the same as it has been. Stay calm - we're fine!

It is normal that this is represented differently than the real situation, but this does not bother me. I am guided by both my head and my heart.

"

Simeone arrive at the Atletico helm in 2011 and led the club to LaLiga's crown in 2013-14, their first Spanish league title in 18 years, as well as two runner-up finishes in the UEFA Champions League.

The widespread reaction to Friday's announcement was that Simeone will leave the Madrid giants in just over 18 months time, but the manager quashed that speculation, perPatricia Cazon of Spanish newspaper AS:

"

We needed to do what we feel is fair; we understand that it's an important situation for all of us but what is written in contracts is private. The only thing I ask is that the lads in the team give their heart and soul. In two year's time we can renew and sign a new deal, it's doesn't mean it's the end.

"

The Daily Mail's Pete Jenson reported the contract-shortening was more conclusive than that, however, and wrote Simeone will "leave Atletico at the end of next season," with Serie A his preferred destination.

The 46-year-old enjoyed two stints with Atleti during his playing days, but he also spent six years—including much of his prime playing career—in Italy's top flight with Inter Milan and Lazio.

Atletico Madrid fans will be saddened to think the boss who won their first league crown in almost two decades could leave sooner than thought, just when the team halted Real Madrid and Barcelona's monopoly of LaLiga.

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan added talk of an extension in 2018 was merely a "joke," however, putting responsibility in the club's hands to explain why that eventuality may not be possible:

The hope for Atletico now is that news of Simeone's potential earlier-than-anticipated departure won't throw any unwanted complications their way this season.

Striker Fernando Torres did his best to salve supporters' woes before Friday's news became clear, and he told reporters earlier in the week that there was no need for concern, per Goal's Ben Spratt:

"

It's a hypothesis that is not real. Let's be real. We are one month into the season and this is a very important year for us.

We want to grow after a very good season with a very complicated [Champions League] final. We are not going to get distracted thinking about what could happen nine months or a year from now.

We aren't going to create obstacles for ourselves. I have no idea if those reports are true or not.

"

Revelations such as these can often be damaging to a club's success, just as talk of a player's transfer can unsettle a dressing room, the anticipation of a manager's departure can also have a negative effect.

Simeone has brought about the most successful period in Atletico Madrid's modern history over the course of the past five years, but the manager is urging all those around the club to stay calm in a time of uncertainty.