Diego Simeone has insisted that leaving Atletico Madrid at the end of next season is not yet set in stone, as he may still extend his current deal.
The 46-year-old has been touted with some of European football's biggest jobs following a successful five-year stint at the Vicente Calderon, where he has won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Europa League during that time.
Simeone, who has also guided Atleti to two Champions League finals, surprised many earlier this year by shortening his long-term contract by two years to 2018, but he claims that talk of an exit anytime soon may be wide of the mark.
"What happened with the contract was about what I thought was best for Atletico Madrid," he told beIN Sports. "Everyone always says that possibly I will leave in a year and a half, and what the fans might think of that. But I could also extend the contract.
"The media are very skillful at creating controversies, which is fine, it must be accepted, and maybe you should answer better so it does not happen."
Inter Milan is the most likely next destination for Simeone, who has made no secret of his desire to manage his former side in the future.