Simeone appointed River Plate coach (16 Dec 2007 15:10 GMT)
Former Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone has signed a one-year contract to coach River Plate starting on Jan. 3, the club announced on Saturday.
Simeone replaces Daniel Passarella, who quit last month after River were knocked out of the Copa Sudamericana by Arsenal.
Simeone, 37, began his coaching career at Racing Club in 2005 and led Estudiantes to the national championship in 2006.
"This is an enormous challenge," Simeone told a news conference. "I love challenges, but I know that with the players and with people's support we are going to restore River to their rightful place."
River have not won a title in the last six domestic championships, considered an eternity for one of the clubs which traditionally dominates the game in Argentina alongside arch-rivals Boca Juniors.
Simeone said he was looking forward to working with players who were anxious to redeem themselves.
"I know what it means to come to River at my young age and I know what I want," said Simeone, whose two sons play for River's junior teams.
source : Reuters