Atletico Madrid stick with coach Aguirre for next season

MADRID, June 19 (Reuters) Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre will continue at the helm for next season, the Primera Liga club said today.

''I am honoured to have been given a second chance. The team put in a great effort this year but we must improve in many areas for next season,'' Aguirre told a news conference.

The former Mexico and Osasuna boss steered Atletico to seventh in the league, securing a place in the Intertoto Cup for next year.

The club's points total of 60 was the highest since they returned to the top flight in 2002.

The 48-year-old is the first coach since then to have survived more than one season at a club that has had more than 30 coaches in the last 20 years.

Sports director Jesus Garcia Pitarch also had his contract extended by one year.

Osasuna's 20-year-old midfielder Raul Garcia is set to be presented as an Atletico player on a five-year contract after the two clubs agreed a transfer fee of 17.3 million dollars, the clubs confirmed.

REUTERS BJR VV1638