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 <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/luis-suarez-still-the-real-deal-as-atletico-madrid-win-la-liga-title-1.1227542" target="_blank">guided Atletico to the LaLiga title last season</a>, 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.