Diego Simeone said he accepts the right of his side's fans to whistle his decisions, while saying that he remains confident Atletico Madrid's struggling centre-forward Raul Jimenez will soon come good.
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Former Atletico midfielder Simeone has become even more of a hero at the Estadio Vicente Calderon having won the Europa League, Copa del Rey and La Liga trophies in less than three years as first team coach. However his decision to substitute Antoine Griezmann and leave Jimenez on the pitch during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo was whistled loudly by a stadium frustrated at the team's up and down start to the new season.
Just 24 hours after the game Simeone's personal press chief had warned Atletico supporters to be "careful" about such behaviour, sparking fears that the former Colchoneros midfielder was sensitive to criticism from fans who feel the defending La Liga champions have not begun the new campaign so well.
But the Argentine told a news conference ahead of Wednesday's La Liga trip to Almeria that the fans had a right to start from zero and judge the new season on its own merits.
"It is not about being adored by Atletico's fans," Simeone said. "It is normal for them to have an opinion on decisions. It was something that just happened in the moment. I respect that and accept it. I am open to everything. All the good of last year was valued and respected. This year has begun differently and we will be judged on what we do. For me spontaneous reactions are very good. They ask you for more."
Jimenez is yet to score in four appearances for Atletico since his 10 million euro summer arrival from Mexican club America, but is Simeone's most natural option to play centre-forward at the moment given first choice Mario Mandzukic is sidelined with a broken nose.
Simeone would not say whether Jimenez would again start at Almeria, with Raul Garcia another option to play up front, however there was praise for the Mexico international's positive attitude despite the barracking.
"[Jimenez] looks fine to me, he is training to keep improving," Simeone said. "He is a kid who will make a very important contribution this season. We trust in the player. Coming here to Europe is not easy, but we trust in the player."
On Monday night Simeone's long-time associate Jose Luis Pasques had published a series of tweets -- in which he reminded Colchoneros that Atletico had recently beaten neighbours Real Madrid twice in the last few weeks, while saying it would be a "mistake" to start criticising Simeone.
Ojo chicos a quien pitan, d corazón, cuidado, todos tienen derechos pero cuidado, no se equivoquen d presa, q después cuesta volver atrás.
- José Luis Pasques (@Pepepasques) September 22, 2014
"Look, kids, who you are whistling, from the heart, be careful, everyone has a right but be careful," Pasques said. "Don't rush into a mistake, as afterwards it is difficult to get back where you were. With all my respect, this is not the atmosphere you expect for a multi-champion. Madrid have already been beaten in the Supercopa, and Madrid in La Liga where the team is unbeaten and in the Champions League zone."