Real Madrid News
Real Madrid coach faces selection dilemma in key position ahead of Bayern Munich tie
Following the conclusion of this season’s last international break, Real Madrid are set to resume their campaign this weekend, with an away game against Mallorca.
However, all eyes will be on their upcoming Champions League tie against Bayern Munich, with the first leg of the quarterfinal slated to be played on Tuesday.
Heading into this tie, coach Alvaro Arbeloa is facing a major selection dilemma, particularly in the left-back position, reports MARCA.
Who are Arbeloa’s three options?
Arbeloa is currently spoilt for choice in the left-back position, with no less than three players fighting for a place in the starting eleven.
The players in question are Alvaro Carreras, Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy, all of whom are likely to be available for the Bayern Munich game.
Carreras is the undisputed first-choice starter. But the former SL Benfica star has struggled with injuries in recent times.
Mendy, on the other hand, has had a worse fitness record and was ruled out until the end of March with a recent hamstring injury.
Theoretically, he should be available for the Bayern tie, but fitness levels would raise question marks. However, when given the opportunity the Frenchman often proves his worth.
That leads us to our last option, Garcia. The Spaniard was close to leaving Real Madrid in the January transfer window and even waved goodbye to his teammates at the Valdebebas.
However, the left-back ended up staying and surprisingly became Real Madrid’s desired pick against Man City. He has impressed ever since and will make a strong case for starting ahead of Carreras and Mendy against Bayern Munich in the coming week.
Arbeloa, therefore, faces selection dilemma as he looks to field his strongest lineup when Real Madrid take on the Bavarians on Tuesday.
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.
