Gabi 'will be Simeone's assistant coach' at Atletico Madrid next season

With it already known that German Burgos will depart his role as Diego Simeone's assistant coach at the end of the current campaign, Gabi Fernandez will replace the former goalkeeper on the Atletico Madrid bench.

Burgos intends to start his career as a coach in his own right after his departure from Atleti, which then leaves Simeone with a gap in his coaching staff.

Having represented Los Colchoneros for a number of years, Gabi remains a fan favourite and icon of the club, furthermore his relationship with Simeone is strong.

On Monday afternoon, Rafa Sahulquillo, editor-in-chief at Radio MARCA, confirmed that Gabi would be taking the position of assistant coach from the start of next season, once his contract with Al-Sadd expires on June 30.

Gabi doesn't yet have his full coaching badges, but that won't be an issue for him to become a key member of Simeone's new-look backroom team, which will also include Nelson Vivas.

Simeone trusts the Spaniard completely following his time as his captain, and whilst Gabi's representative, Manolo Garcia Quilon, denied the speculation, time will tell whether the pair will continue their relationship in a professional capacity once more.