Atletico Madrid signs coach Gregorio Manzano

MADRID (AP)—Atletico Madrid has signed veteran coach Gregorio Manzano to a one-year contract.

Manzano said Wednesday that he was “very happy and ready to get to work to prepare for next season.”

Last season, Atletico failed to meet its goal of qualifying for the Champions League. Instead, it will be in the Europa League, a competition it won in 2009-10.

Manzano has coached a number of topflight Spanish teams, including Mallorca, Racing Santander, Malaga and Sevilla.

This is also Manzano’s second stint with Atletico after spending the 2003-04 season at the helm of the Madrid-based team.

The 55-year old Spanish manager took over Sevilla midway through last season, but fell short of making the Champions League.