Real Madrid News
Ancelotti working with the idea that Real Madrid will not sign a new No. 9 – report
According to reports from Jorge C Picon (h/t Madrid Xtra), Carlo Ancelotti has resigned to the idea that Real Madrid will make no further operations for a No. 9. He is not happy about the situation but is working to find a solution with the existing core of players.
Earlier this summer, the centre-forward position was said to be on top of Los Blancos’ priority list after Karim Benzema’s departure. Having lost arguably the best striker in the world, the board was willing to go all out and provide the manager with a world-class backup.
The men in white were linked with Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, and Dusan Vlahovic among others, as they searched far and wide for a new striker. All that materialised, however, was the signing of Joselu.
While it is true that Ancelotti requires a new quality striker, the management aborted the mission keeping in mind the possible arrival of Kylian Mbappe. More than the financial aspect, it boiled down to the question of overlapping roles between a star signing this summer and the French phenom.
It is unclear if Mbappe will join forces with Ancelotti this summer. If the youngster postpones his arrival to 2024, the Italian tactician will be with only Vinicius Jr, Joselu and Rodrygo Goes in the final third. It would thus be better for the coach to prepare for the worst.
Reports earlier this week revealed the various combinations the manager has in mind ahead of the new season. Three formations are strong candidates to feature as the mainstay in 2023-24 – a 4-3-3, 4-4-2 diamond, or a 4-2-3-1.
Ancelotti has also experimented with Bellingham playing as a false-nine in training sessions so far in the United States. If a new striker does not arrive, that could be a real option for the manager.
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.
