体坛英语新闻：Gregorio Manzano returns as Atletico Madrid coach

MADRID, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid have signed Gregorio Manzano as first team coach to replace Quique Sanchez Flores, who left at the end of the season that has just ended.

The 55-year-old Manzano, who led Sevilla to fifth place in the BBVA Primera Liga last season, and Atletico's Director of Sport, Jose Luis Caminero reached an agreement over this contract Wednesday afternoon in the office of the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

It will be Manzano's second spell as Atletico coach and he returns to the club he was at for one season, seven years ago. Manzano left after the 2003-4 campaign after leading Atletico to seventh place in the league table (the same position the club ended this season under Quique), just missing out on qualification for the UEFA Cup.

An experienced and respected coach, Manzano became Atletico's main priority after former Barcelona B team coach Luis Enrique rejected the offer from the Calderon to coach Italian side, Roma.

Manzano has coached six other clubs in the BBVA Primera Liga, working at Valladolid, Racing Santander, Rayo Vallecano, Mallorca (on two occasions), Malaga and Sevilla.

He has earned a reputation of working well on a limited budget, winning the Kings Cup for Mallorca and leading Mallorca to a fifth placed finish two seasons ago.

That experience could be useful as Atletico look likely to have a weaker squad next season than this year. Strikers Kun Aguero and Diego Forlan as well as goalkeeper David De Gea all look likely to leave the club, while midfielder playmaker Thiago Cardoso has returned to Juventus after completing his loan spell.

Although the sale of Aguero, Forlan and De Gea will being in money in transfer fees, much of it will go to helping clear the club's debts, meaning big name signings will be few and far between at Atletico this summer.