'No offers for Aguero', says Atletico coach

Posted Friday, June 10, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

MADRID (AFP) - Atletico Madrid has received no offers for Argentine star Sergio 'Kun' Aguero, who announced last month he wants to leave the club, new coach Gregorio Manzano said Friday.

"Kun is an Atletico Madrid player. The club has been clear about everything that has been written and said, and it was said to me as well, that as of today there is no offer for Kun," Manzano said as he was presented to the club.

"I would like, with all my heart, to able to coach him. I would be disappointed if Kun left."

In a statement on May 24, Aguero said he was ready to leave the club he has played for since moving from Independiente of Argentina in 2006.

"I said long ago that when I wanted to go, I would say so publicly. And the time has come. So I have kept my word and here I am," said the 22-year-old striker, who is married to Diego Maradona's daughter.

Spanish media has said a number of top clubs are interested.

The president of Italian club Juventus, Andrea Agnelli, and its sporting director Guiseppe Marotta were in talks with Aguero's agent last month, according to Italian news agency Ansa.

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester City have also been mentioned.

In January, Aguero signed a contract extension that committed him to Atletico until 2014, with a buyout clause of 45 million euros.

Atletico on Wednesday announced they had signed Manzano to a one-year contract, replacing Quique Sanchez Flores who quit at the end of last season.

The 55-year-old has coached numerous Spanish clubs in a managerial career that began in 1983. He was last in charge of Atletico in the 2003-2004 season.

He returns to the club from Sevilla, which refused to offer him a new contract.

"Gregorio Manzano picks up where he left off, ahead of entry into Europe and return to a competition with which we have an outstanding debt," said club president Enrique Cerezo.

Last season, Atletico finished seventh in the Primera Liga, qualifying for the Europa League next season.

They won the competition in 2010.