Former international striker Fernando Torres has been named the new coach of Atlético de Madrid B, the first reserve team of the red-and-white club, after three seasons in charge of the Juvenil A team.

Torres, who has won two league titles, a Champions Cup, and secured the team’s place in the final stage of the Youth Champions League, is now stepping up to lead Atlético’s second team, which plays in the Primera RFEF (the third tier of Spanish football).

The ex-Fuenlabrada forward replaces Luis García Tevenet, who coached the reserve team for the past three seasons, achieving two consecutive promotions and maintaining their place in the Primera RFEF. Tevenet will now join Diego Pablo Simeone's coaching staff.

Fernando Torres, 40, had a playing career that included stints at Atlético, Liverpool, Chelsea, Milan, and Sagan Tosu. Internationally, he was part of Spain’s golden era, winning the 2008 and 2012 European Championships and the 2010 World Cup. He played 110 matches and scored 38 goals. His trophy cabinet also includes a Champions League, Europa League, and FA Cup with Chelsea, and another Europa League with Atlético.

Torres said the past three years were "a constant learning experience" and that this new role is "very important" to him. He wants "to be ambitious, to keep improving every day, to face new challenges, and to handle the responsibility in the best way possible."

"At the same time, I know there's no rush and no need to take a wrong step. I accept this challenge with great ambition and the calmness of knowing we're ready," he told Atlético de Madrid's website.

"The main goal for a reserve team is to develop players for the first team. We have to make sure the players dream of playing for Atlético de Madrid and prepare them for the first team. The best way to do that is to compete and face a very challenging category with ambition, knowing that Atlético demands you give your all. We need to compete as best as we can and keep the team as high up the table as possible because that will prepare them for what comes next, hopefully, our first team," he concluded.