Real Madrid News
Real Madrid intend to trim their squad size – more departures likely than arrivals
A period of reflection is under way at Real Madrid. Elimination from the UEFA Champions League at the quarter-final stage, which leaves the team facing a season without major trophies, has prompted analysis and evaluation.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s job is far from being secure, with several names already being talked up as possible candidates to become the next manager of Real Madrid.
Aim for a smaller squad
On top of deciding Arbeloa’s future, another objective at Real Madrid is to reduce the size of the squad for next season, reports MARCA.
The idea is to have a group of around 22 first-team players, supplemented by reserve players such as Thiago Pitarch and Joan Martinez. So, there is a possibility that there will be more departures than arrivals.
Within the club, there is a belief that, despite numerous injuries, the squad has been too large this season, creating uncomfortable situations and complaints from players over limited or no playing time.
Who can leave?
Some of those players have little chance of remaining. The clearest cases are David Alaba, whose contract expires in June, and Dani Ceballos, who, despite being contracted until 2027, is also expected to leave.
Antonio Rudiger’s deal also ends this summer, although his performances have earned him the possibility of staying.
Dani Carvajal’s contract also expires on 30 June. Real Madrid’s intention is to respect the wishes of the captain, a longstanding figure at the club and a legend.
There are also contracted players who could depart. These include Eduardo Camavinga and Raul Asencio, in particular, while Fran García and Gonzalo García could also fall into this category.
In any case, the analysis being conducted by the club includes all members of the squad, including key players such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinícius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, who are expected to remain the foundations of the project.
They are joined by players who have demonstrated their importance in recent seasons, such as Thibaut Courtois, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Arda Güler, among others.
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.
