Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has called for changes to be made to the football calendar to allow him and other top bosses to manage clubs and countries simultaneously.

Simeone, whose Atletico side open their La Liga campaign against promoted Alaves on Sunday evening, was linked with the job of coaching his native Argentina after Gerardo Martino stepped down following their Copa America final defeat to Chile.

The Argentinian federation had been willing to let Simeone continue as Atletico coach but the 46-year-old did not feel that he could balance the two jobs. Argentina have since appointed Edgardo Bauza to lead their bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Diego Simeone wants changes to the football calendar so top bosses can manage countries

Simeone was linked with the Argentina job but rejected the chance to manage his county

The former Inter Milan midfielder did not think he could coach Argentina and Atletico Madrid

Simeone, who says coaching Argentina remains one of his 'life objectives', hopes that a solution could be found to allow the world's superstar coaches the chance to work on the biggest international stages without giving up their club commitments.

'I consider that things have to happen when they happen, but maybe all this hunger I have as a coach could come out in another way,' Simeone said in quotes reported by ESPN FC.

'I've asked myself many times why (Manchester City boss Pep) Guardiola does not manage Spain. Why (Manchester United manager) Jose Mourinho does not manage Portugal. Why [Manuel] Pellegrini not Chile. (Liverpool's Jurgen) Klopp and Germany. (Bayern Munich coach) Carlo Ancelotti and Italy. Many coaches, possibly the best, cannot coach their national sides.

Simeone believes a solution must be found so the best managers can coach their nations

'We must look for something different, as the supposed 'best managers in the world' cannot manage their national sides. That is not good. We must look for solutions for us, who would like to coach the best clubs in the world, and also our national teams.

'Don't ask me to choose, as I am the coach. We should look for a system that strengthens the coaches to be in the best places in the world. Maybe in time it will come.'

French forward Kevin Gameiro could be in line to make his La Liga bow for Atleti against Alaves after his summer move from Sevilla.

Atletico's £27m summer signing Kevin Gameiro could make his debut against Alaves

Champions Barcelona open their defence at home to Real Betis on Saturday evening with coach Luis Enrique insisting everyone at the club is geared up to win a third straight title.

'We are motivated to win the league title for a third year running as it is something that has rarely been achieved in the club's history,' he told the club's official website.

On opponents Betis, Enrique added: 'They have a good collective idea that the new manager (Gustavo Poyet) is planning, they have earned good results in pre-season and have made some good signings. I am sure that they will create problems that we will have to resolve.'

Real Madrid will be without Cristiano Ronaldo (left) Pepe (right) and Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema will not feature for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad in San Sebastian on Sunday as he continues to struggle with the hip problem which affected him during the club's pre-season tour of the United States.

Luka Modric is suspended, Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas is injured and Portuguese duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe will not feature. With Benzema and Ronaldo out, returning forward Alvaro Morata is set to play up front alongside Gareth Bale, who has scored in his previous three outings at Anoeta.

Sevilla host Espanyol on Saturday but will be without French defender Adil Rami for coach Jorge Sampaoli's first La Liga game but can welcome back fellow centre-back Nico Pareja after a hamstring problem.

New Villarreal boss Fran Escriba will be hoping to steady the submarine against Granada

Granada host Villarreal in Saturday's other match with Paco Jemez telling his side's official Twitter account that he hopes their brand of high-tempo football can 'wear out' the Yellow Submarine, who start the season under new coach Fran Escriba after Marcelino's surprise departure last week.

Villarreal's season took another turn for the worse with defeat at home to Monaco in their Champions League play-off round first-leg tie at El Madrigal putting their hopes of a place in the group stage in jeopardy.