Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has confirmed that he will not be leaving the club in the immediate future.

Speculation has been rife that the 47-year-old, who guided Atletico to the La Liga title in 2013-14 and two Champions League finals, was set to depart after the club’s failure to qualify for the knockout stages of this season’s Champions League.

But on Tuesday night in Madrid, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said Simeone had given his word that he would remain at the club, at least for another year.

When asked to confirm this at the Dubai International Sports Conference at the Madinat Jumeirah on Wednesday, the Argentine, speaking through an interpreter, said simply: “Yes, this is true.”

He then shut down any further questions about his future saying he would “only speak about the event not about this topic.”

On stage in Dubai: Simeone.

Simeone was a guest on a panel discussing “Investing in Youth Sector” along with former AC Milan, Real Madrid and England manager Fabio Capello and current Egyptian national coach, Hector Cuper.

“It’s very interesting to be part of such an event” said Simeone, “with panelists Cuper and Capello and sharing the experiences of the youth sector. So for me it was really important to share this with them.”

The 47-year-old did not rule out a future in England, expressing an admiration for where the English game is going.

“It’s definitely true that young English players are improving,” he said, “in England they have understood the importance of investing in academies for the future of their clubs.”

“It’s also the result of the economic growth of the game in England.”

Simeone, who starred for Atletico, Inter Milan Lazio in a distinguished playing career, also spoke about how to develop a winning mentality in young players.

“During the training sessions I give the players this attitude,” he explained.

“The motivation to work and go better and to train – to work hard. Train to compete, train to win the game in every situation, every game.”

Simeone also singled out 21-year-old Atletico defender Lucas Hernandez, who has been linked with Manchester United, as a player to watch.

“I know him since he was young and he has all the characteristics to be one of the best”, he said.

When asked whether he preferred “tiki-taka” (creative) or counter-attacking football, the La Albiceleste idol said: “Both these ways are very difficult and it depends on specific situations the way you manage the game.”

The conference culminates on Thursday with sessions on Football Technology Investment, Football Players: Business Plans and Leadership Vision with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Highly-rated: Lucas Hernandez.