Aguirre reaffirms desire to stay with Atlético

Javier Aguirre has reiterated his desire to stay with Atlético de Madrid and take it into the Champions League next season after it clinched fourth place on the final day of the campaign.

The future at the club of the Mexican coach has been the subject of debate almost all season because his contract was due to expire if the club did not make it into Europe.

Qualifying for the Champions League was the aim and now that Aguirre has succeeded in that he wants to stay put and oversee the continuation of the project next season.

"I am a man who believes in this project and have my convictions and therefore I want to stay and comply with my contract," he said. "In all honesty, I am very happy here and I have always said I want to stay.

"I am very enthusiastic about the club's plans and I was excited last summer after qualifying for the UEFA Cup and am even more now that we are in the Champions League. The fact that I am now able to relax a bit does not signify that I am do not have any desire."

Any doubts about the club's support for Aguirre were quashed when he explained that the board have always supported in him throughout.

"Everything that I have asked the club for they have done for me and I am free to do what I want," he continued. "It is normal that there is speculation over my future following two defeats, but the truth is that nobody has ever talked to me about me staying or going."