Real Madrid News
Florentino Perez identifies his priority for Real Madrid managerial role – Romano
Being a Real Madrid manager may well be the single most difficult job in the world simply because of the pressure on candidates who take up the role.
A slightly sub-par start to the new season had Carlo Ancelotti on the ropes despite all he has done for the club, and the win over Osasuna has killed down the noise for now.
The manager currently does not intend to leave his position, but it is unclear what will happen in the summer should Real Madrid fail to fire on all guns. Florentino Perez and Co, thus, are actively monitoring their top targets.
One favourite option
As revealed by Fabrizio Romano in a recent update, Xabi Alonso is Florentino Perez’s favourite to take over the reins at Real Madrid in the long run, possibly as a successor to Ancelotti.
The Real Madrid president believes that Alonso has everything that is required to succeed as a manager for Los Blancos, right from the tactics to his man-management, media management and personality.
His style is seen to be the ‘perfect Real Madrid style’ and the administration wishes to keep an eye on him and secure his arrival when the opportunity arises.
So far this season, Ancelotti has struggled to bring in cohesion in the final third with Kylian Mbappe misfiring and looking like a shadow of his former self. Further, the midfield is far from dominant and the defence is struggling to stay afloat.
It may not be long before the Merengues knock on Alonso’s door to enquire about his availability. The 42-year-old Spanish tactician is currently managing Bayer Leverkusen who he sensationally led to the Bundesliga crown last season.
Their start to the new season, however, has not been as encouraging and they are currently fourth on the standings, nine points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
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.
