Real Madrid News
Noel Le Graet suspended as FFF president after comments on Real Madrid legend Zidane
In a major development, as reported by RMC Sport, Noel Le Graet has been suspended as the president of France Football Federation (FFF) following his derogatory comments on Real Madrid and Les Bleus legend Zinedine Zidane.
Le Graet came into the line of fire after he made ill-advised comments regarding Zidane and his possible candidacy for the French national team manager’s job.
Following the extension of Didier Deschamps until 2026, it was reported that Zidane might consider taking up the Brazil job. When asked about that development, Le Graet had said (h/t Guardian):
“I don’t give a damn, he can go wherever he wants. I know very well that Zidane was always on the radar. He had a lot of supporters; some were waiting for Deschamps’s departure … But who can make serious reproaches to Deschamps? Nobody.
“He [Zidane] does what he wants; it’s none of my business. I’ve never met him, we’ve never considered parting with Didier. He can go where he wants, to a club … If Zidane tried to contact me? Certainly not, I wouldn’t even pick up the phone.”
Following this, Le Graet had attracted a lot of criticism from current and former footballers while Real Madrid had also issued a statement condemning those comments. The French Government were also forced to step in and condemn Le Graet, following which he had issued an apology.
However, now, FFF have moved to suspend Le Graet as the president at an extraordinary executive committee meeting, with Philippe Diallo taking over on an interim basis.
Whether this development affects Deschamps’ continuity as the manager of the French national team will be interesting to see.
Real Madrid News
Harry Kane’s signing could complicate Real Madrid’s plan to sign Erling Haaland in 2024
Those sitting in the Real Madrid offices are aware that the team needs an emergency number 9. In this context, manager Carlo Ancelotti has already affirmed that they are working on some targets, although he decided not to reveal any names.
Now, what makes this operation trickier is that Madrid already have Erling Haaland on their agenda. The Manchester City forward is billed for the summer of 2024, meaning that any signing Madrid make this year will be extremely short-term.
A couple of days back, we reported that Ancelotti has made the signing of Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane his priority. The manager is of the idea that the England international will be the ideal candidate to provide competition to Benzema, whose physical fitness is now deteriorating.
As far as Kane is concerned, the Tottenham forward is rightly expected to leave and fellow Premier League side Manchester United happen to be interested in his acquisition as well.
It is not really difficult for Madrid to sign Kane, but the fact that Madrid already have Haaland in their plans is a problem, reports AS. At 29 years of age, Kane is not someone who would step down from his starting role when Haaland arrives.
Add to it the continuity of Benzema is yet another issue. All this means there is a high possibility that if Kane arrives, the team will overbook the number 9 position.
At the moment, there is a parade of names that Madrid are following, namely, Goncalo Ramos, Dusan Vlahovic and even Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but nothing is certain at the moment.
What Madrid need is a short-term option, someone who is either willing to settle for a secondary role, even when Benzema leave/retires or is ready to come on a season-long loan to cover the position until Madrid sign Haaland in 2024. Either way, Harry Kane does not fit the bill.
Jay Rollins
January 12, 2023 at 8:47 pm
What has Zidane done wrong to him? I have never seen a humble and a hard working coach like Zidane. If he agrees to take Franch national job it ought to be a welcome idea from the president but now he shows himself as an enemy of progress. Please he should leave that seat as Franch President immediately as he doesn’t worth such a seat!