RIO DE JANEIRO, June 7 -- Veteran Spanish defender Juanfran is set to leave Sao Paulo this year to assume an off-field role with his former club Atletico Madrid, according to media reports in Brazil.
The 35-year-old has made 26 appearances across all competitions since joining Sao Paulo last European summer after eight years in the Spanish capital. His current contract is due to expire in August though it is understood the Brazilian Serie A club had hoped to extend the deal.
According to the Gazeta Esportiva news service, Juanfran has been offered a position as Atletico's sporting director under their Argentinian head coach Diego Simeone.
It added that his close relationship with Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Martin and a desire to return to his homeland meant he was unlikely to extend his stay in Brazil.
Juanfran played 355 games for Atletico, having joined the club from Osasuna in 2011. He has 22 Spain caps and was a member of the Roja squad that won the 2017 European Championship.
Close, but no cigar 几近成功
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A recipe for disaster 后患无穷
Cyclists make Olympic history, 400-year-old shark 英国自行车运动员创英奥运历史，400岁格陵兰鲨鱼
White / blue-collar worker 白领，蓝领
Axe to grind 别有用心
Burn a hole in your pocket 有钱不花难受
Russian athletes and friendly robots 俄罗斯运动员服用兴奋剂，“合作机器人”
The cost of protecting the environment, Juno space probe 保护环境付出的代价，“朱诺”木星探测器
In good nick 品质好、没有损坏
Hot potato 棘手的问题“烫手山芋”
The university of life 生活经历
A bitter pill to swallow 不得不吞的苦药
Canada wildfire and NASA discovery 加拿大林火，美国国家航空航天局发现系外行星
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Antibiotics and escalator etiquette 美国人过多使用抗生素，伦敦地铁扶梯礼仪
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India's sewer workers and British school standards 印度下水道工人施工安全，英国在校生学习成绩下降
In the blink of an eye 一眨眼之间
Pain in the neck 令人讨厌的事情或人