Luis Enrique is being lined up as the next Atletico Madrid manager following the World Cup, according to reports.
The 52-year-old is currently focusing on leading Spain into the tournament in Qatar, which gets underway in just under two weeks time. Enrique's side face Costa Rica in their first group game on November 23, before taking on Germany in one of the most-anticipated matches of the group stages.
However, it is being reported that Enrique will leave as Spain's boss after the competition, no matter how far they get. Spain have been tipped to go far in the World Cup, with Enrique's team winning three of their last four competitive matches, including a 1-0 win over Portugal in the Nations League last time out.
According to Spanish outlet Cotizalia, current boss Diego Simeone is firmly under pressure at Atletico after failing to guide his side to the knockout stages of the Champions League. They add that the former Barcelona boss is a prime contender to take over if Atletico pull the trigger, with Enrique reportedly ready to quit after the World Cup.
It is also understood that Atletico chief executive Miguel Gil Marin held a meeting with Jan Oblak, Koke and Antoine Griezmann at his luxury mansion in La Finca to discuss the future of the club. Marin let them know the financial impact of not playing in Europe at all, as they finished bottom of their Champions League group.
Atletico suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat at the hands of Porto on matchday six, which left them at the foot of Group E with Porto top, Club Brugge in second and Bayer Leverkusen finishing in third place. It is something that will cost Atletico around £40million, and Marin has explained the importance of his side winning their final game before the World Cup starts as they face Real Mallorca at the weekend.
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Simeone could be fired before the start of the tournament if their form continues, although Atletico somehow still remain inside the top three in La Liga. Atletico were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Espanyol on Sunday, leaving them a mere 10 points behind league leaders Barcelona after 13 matches.
A defeat to Mallorca could spell the end for Simeone, who has been in charge of the Madrid club since December 2011 when he left Argentine outfit Racing Club. Since then, Simeone has completely transformed Atletico's fortunes and has turned them into one of the elite teams in European football.
He has won two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and two Europa League triumphs during his 11-year tenure at Atletico, winning 349 of his 597 games in charge so far. But with Atletico's form faltering in recent weeks, Simeone's time could be up with Enrique being lined-up as a possible replacement.
