Real Madrid News
Manchester City defender ‘dreams’ of Real Madrid despite strong interest from Barcelona
Real Madrid’s most worrying position on the field barring the centre-forward department is likely to be the full-backs.
Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez are both set to continue next season. However, with both Spaniards ageing closer to the twilight of their careers, the club need a younger name to slowly take over the responsibilities at right-back.
The left-back department is a whole different story. Los Blancos have still not recovered from the departure of Marcelo, for Ferland Mendy does not appear to have what it takes to shift to the required gear. Further, Fran Garcia’s ability will also be seen with a grain of salt until he proves his worth.
Joao Cancelo is a potential target for Real Madrid on that front. The Merengues were offered the chance to sign him in the winter window but refused because of the economics involved.
Maximilian Koch reports that Cancelo’s dream club is still Real Madrid. Barcelona are interested in the star, but he would be willing to leave the Catalans hanging and sign for Los Blancos should the chance arrive.
The Portuguese international is capable of operating both as a left-back and a right-back based on the team’s needs. He would thus be an ideal addition to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad and improve the stability of the defensive line significantly.
Cancelo is currently on loan at Bayern Munich but is set to return to Manchester City at the end of the month. In his time in Germany, he provided four assists and scored one goal for the Bavarians in 15 appearances.
The full-back’s complicated relationship with Pep Guardiola opens the door for his exit. While the European Champions demanded €70 million from Bayern Munich to make Cancelo’s services permanent, there is good reason for Real Madrid to believe that a lower fee can be agreed upon.
However, despite Cancelo’s dream to join Los Blancos, whether the club see him as a viable target for the summer remains to be seen.
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.
