New Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone arrived in Madrid on Monday, vowing to pull his former team out of their slump in the Spanish league.

"I am very glad to be back," Simeone, 41, told reporters after touching down from Buenos Aires, to return to the club he helped to a league and cup double as a player in 1996.

"Now it is time to work, that is the most important thing. Words are no use -- it's deeds that matter."

The former Argentina midfielder was named last week to replace Gregorio Manzano who was fired following a miserable run.

He was due to be officially presented as coach at the Vicente Calderon stadium on Tuesday.

Simeone played for Argentina in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

He served two spells as a player for Atletico, forming part of the team that won the Spanish league and cup double in the 1995-1996 season.

Atletico currently sit 10th in the Spanish top flight with only 19 points from 16 games, 21 points behind neighbours and leaders Real Madrid.

Simeone retired as a player in 2006 after a spell with Racing Avellaneda, one of several Argentine teams he went on to coach.