Real Madrid News
Ancelotti to change Real Madrid’s formation next season to accommodate Bellingham
Carlo Ancelotti has continued Real Madrid’s traditional 4-3-3 formation after returning to the helm a few years ago.
With Karim Benzema leading the frontline, alongside two wide forwards, the formula has worked quite well for Los Blancos, who notably bagged Copa Del Rey, UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles in the past two years.
However, with Benzema leaving the club and Real Madrid bringing in Jude Bellingham, there might be a shift in Real Madrid’s tactical formation.
This has been reported by AS, which suggests Carlo Ancelotti might shift to a 4-3-1-2 formation next season in order to accommodate Bellingham into the team.
The English international, who was brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a substantial fee, is likely to operate in the number ten role, just behind the two forwards. Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are likely to fill up the attacking positions, following the departure of Benzema.
But should Real Madrid succeed in the pursuit of Kylian Mbappe this summer, there is a chance the Frenchman could accompany Vinicius up front.
In midfield, Ancelotti is likely to continue with two veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Their experience and leadership have been invaluable to Real Madrid over the past decade. The club would hope to squeeze the best out of them in their final year at the Bernabeu.
The likes of Dani Ceballos and Federico Valverde will also compete for those two spots.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga should compete for defensive midfield position in the 4-3-1-2. It will not come as a surprise to see Ancelotti reducing Modric and Kroos’ game-time, in favour of the younger individuals, as the club slowly prepare for a transition.
Not much of a change is expected in defence, though Real Madrid most certainly require reinforcements, particularly in the full-back areas.
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
