FERNANDO TORRES has landed a new job as manager of Atletico Madrid’s B team.
The former Liverpool and Chelsea star, 40, hung up his boots in 2019 following a spell in Japan.
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He subsequently launched his coaching career with boyhood club Atletico, taking over their Under-19 side in 2021.
Following three years in the post, Torres has been promoted to manager of Atletico Madrid B.
The role will be the former striker’s first in senior management, with Atletico B playing in Spain’s third tier.
Torres succeeds Luis Tevenet, who has joined Diego Simeone‘s senior staff.
Upon landing the job, Torres said: “I am at home and I feel an enormous responsibility since I decided to face this new stage.
“It has been three years of constant learning.
“For me this step is very important and I want to be ambitious to do things better every day, face the challenges that come and the responsibility in the best way and at the same time knowing that I am in no hurry and no need to take a wrong step.
“I accept it as a great challenge with a lot of ambition and the peace of mind of knowing that we are prepared.”
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Despite now coaching within the Spanish pyramid, Torres insists that development is still the primary aim.
He continued: “The first thing is to know what the objective of a subsidiary is, which is to contribute many players to the first team.
Fernando Torres’ career timeline
As a player:
Atletico Madrid 2001-2007 – 198 apps, 83 goals
Liverpool 2007-2011 – 142 apps, 81 goals
Chelsea 2011-2015 – 172 apps, 45 goals
AC Milan 2014-15 (loan) – 10 apps, 1 goal
AC Milan 2015-16 – 0 apps, 0 goals
Atletico Madrid 2015-16 (loan) – 44 apps, 12 goals
Atletico Madrid 2016-18 – 90 apps, 20 goals
Sagan Tosu 2018-19 – 40 apps, 7 goals
Spain 2003-2014 110 caps, 38 goals
As a coach:
Atletico Madrid Under-19s 2021-2024
Atletico Madrid B 2024-present
“We have to insist to the players that their dream has to be to play for Atletico de Madrid and prepare them for the first team.
“The best way to do so is to compete and face a very complicated category with ambition, knowing that Atletico de Madrid requires you to give your all.
“Try to compete as well as possible, have the team at the top of the table because that is what will prepare them for what. What comes next, hopefully it will be our first team.”
Torres enjoyed a legendary playing career that saw him win the World Cup, Euros and Champions League.
Since hanging up his boots he has undergone a stunning body transformation.
With Torres having taken up bodybuilding, fans even likened him to “Sly Stallone” last year.
The beefed up gaffer has not been afraid to throw his weight around as a manager.
During a Youth Cup derby against Real Madrid last year, Torres received a red card after squaring up to former Liverpool team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa on the touchline, with the ex-full-back coaching Atletico’s rivals.
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