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7 months ago
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Fernando Torres is reportedly set to step down from his Atletico Madrid U19s coaching role at the end of the season.
The Spaniard has been head coach of the U19s since 2021 but has decided that his time there is done.
The news comes after he shadowed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool training last week, exchanging hugs and high-fives with the squad to the delight of many Reds fans.
Atletico will have to decide if he will step up to work with their B team or even their first team - or let him fly the nest.
Spanish outlet Relevo claims Torres thinks he has 'wrapped up his chapter' with the youth team and could be poised for talks with club chiefs this month.
Fernando Torres is reportedly set to step down as head coach of Atletico Madrid's U19s at the end of this season
The Liverpool legend is on course for a second title in three seasons with the youth team
Ahead of him, Luis Garcia Tevenet is completing his third year at the helm of their third-tier B team, while Diego Simeone has a stranglehold on the first-team dugout, having managed the club terrifically since 2011.
Atletico could promote Tevenet to the first-team to make way for Torres. Relevo also reports that the club see Torres as a more suitable successor for the top job whenever Simeone leaves.
Torres has Atletico's U-19s top of their 16-team league, having won 20 of 25 games and only lost twice. He has already won one title with them and led them to second last season.
However, Simeone signed a new contract until 2027 in November so it doesn't look as if he is anywhere in a hurry.
Relevo believes a move to the B team would be logical as many players who he reared in the Under-19s are there, but he could receive offers from elsewhere.
Torres, 40, finished his playing career at Sagan Tosu in Japan in 2019 and scored 301 goals for club and country.
He spent four prolific seasons at Anfield between 2007 and 2011, winning the World Cup with Spain in that time, before making a shock £50million switch to Chelsea.
That was a British record transfer fee at the time and made him the most expensive Spanish player ever.
Last week he spent a day shadowing Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool prepared to take on Brighton
Relevo claims Torres could be promoted to a higher role with Atletico or take up an offer from elsewhere
Diego Simeone has extended his contract until 2027 so the likelihood of the top Atletico job opening up is slim
Torres scored during a Liverpool Legends match at Anfield last month, rolling back the years
"It's amazing to be here, and to be able to meet with Jürgen, Pep, and all the staff to learn and try to understand the Liverpool way." ❤️@Torres 💬
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 29, 2024His day of tuition under Klopp last week brought back fond memories for Reds fans and will inevitably spark rumours that he could one day return.
He hugged and chatted with Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Darwin Nunez before spending the day learning under Klopp in a day of downpours at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre.
Torres also netted in a 4-2 win for Liverpool Legends last month against a team of Ajax icons in front of the Anfield faithful.
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