Real Madrid News
Real Madrid in talks with club legend over potential role in team’s sporting structure
In a major development, Mario Cortegana of The Athletic reports that Real Madrid are in talks with legendary former midfielder Toni Kroos over a potential return to the club.
There had already been murmurs about Los Blancos considering bringing in the former German international, who retired in 2024, to the club in some capacity before next season.
Talks underway
Now, Cortegana confirms that it is indeed the plan and talks are already taking place behind the scenes for Kroos to make an iconic comeback to Real Madrid.
While he would not be stepping onto the field again for Los Blancos, the idea is for Kroos to have a new role within the club’s sporting structure with key responsibilities.
It would be similar to the strategy Real Madrid used with another club legend, Zinedine Zidane, bringing him back into the club setup in 2010 in an advisory role before he eventually went on to become the manager.
Kroos is highly valued at the club and those in the offices believe that the former midfielder can add a lot to the club with decisions on squad planning, day-to-day contributions on the training ground, and even representing Real Madrid as an ambassador.
Moreover, his experience of the dressing-room dynamics, as well as his ‘character’ and ‘judgement’ are also seen as major positives at Valdebebas.
The idea has been brewing for some time now and talks are now taking place, with Real Madrid’s relationship with Kroos being very strong.
So, it will not come as a surprise to see the former midfielder make a comeback to the Santiago Bernabeu, even though his exact role is yet to be defined.
If he does return, Kroos would work very closely with the highest decision-makers at Real Madrid – president Florentino Perez, general manager Jose Angel Sanchez and chief scout Juni Calafat.
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.
