Atletico Madrid's sporting director Enrique Cerezo has moved to bring an end to speculation linking coach Diego Simeone with a return to Inter Milan by saying he is going nowhere.
Simeone added fuel to the fire on Monday when he told Mediaset that being manager of Inter was "a situation that I can imagine happening," and that the "opportunity to return to Milan" will arise, even though he stated that it was not something he is currently considering.
But Cerezo dismissed any suggestion that the Argentine would leave before the end of his contract, which expires in 2020.
"We're happy with Simeone's work and we are working together with him, day after day, and this is a very positive period we are going through and we're happy with him," he told Mediaset. "We've not even taken into consideration [that he could leave] because he's got a contract with us.
"We believe he could stay here for a long time, so it's not something we're contemplating."
Earlier, Cerezo told Spanish radio show Al Primer Toque how important Simeone was for the future of Atletico Madrid.
"Simeone has changed this club completely," he said. "At the moment all the players want to play at Atletico Madrid, and all clubs want our players. Simeone is very important for players to come here."
Simeone played for the Nerazzurri between 1997-1999, winning the UEFA Cup in 1998. He later coached in Italy with Catania and has regularly spoken of his intention to return to Serie A, saying only three years ago that he is destined to coach Inter one day.