Real Madrid News
Mourinho refuses to lose faith in Dean Huijsen despite worrying Real Madrid red-card record
Jose Mourinho has no intention of giving up on Dean Huijsen despite the defender’s latest red card, with the manager still viewing him as a potential undisputed starter.
According to AS, Mourinho remains convinced that he can bring out the best in Huijsen, whose performances at the start of the season have strengthened his position within the squad.
The concern, though, is that his disciplinary record is beginning to overshadow that progress.
Huijsen’s red-card problem has returned
The latest setback came in the Madrid derby against Atletico last weekend.
Huijsen, who has returned to the Spanish national team, was sent off in the 52nd minute after bringing down Giuliano Simeone inside the penalty area, giving Atletico a penalty and leaving Real Madrid with ten men.
The incident proved costly, as Atletico converted the penalty and took control of a match Real Madrid were eventually unable to recover.
More worrying for Huijsen is the fact that this was not an isolated incident. It was his third red card in 52 appearances for Real Madrid, with all three dismissals coming after fouls on opponents while he was the last defender.
Two of those reds have come in La Liga, while the other arrived during the Club World Cup. His dismissal against Real Sociedad last season was particularly controversial, but the pattern is now becoming difficult to ignore.
Mourinho still sees a long-term starter
Huijsen’s record is striking mostly because he had never been sent off during his spells with Bournemouth, Roma or Juventus before joining Real Madrid.
Indeed, the difference in playing style is part of the explanation, as Mourinho’s Real Madrid defend with a high line, leaving centre-backs exposed to quick transitions and forcing them to make difficult decisions when opponents break through.
That does not remove Huijsen’s responsibility, but it helps explain why situations that were less frequent earlier in his career are now recurring.
For Mourinho, the answer appears to be improvement rather than a loss of faith. Huijsen has produced enough good football this season to convince the manager that he can become a permanent fixture in the starting XI.
The challenge now is overcoming the moments that have repeatedly threatened to undo his otherwise strong performances.
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.
