Real Madrid News
Real Madrid new signing speaks after debut vs AC Milan: “The lads are unbelievable”
Real Madrid began their 2023-24 season with a memorable game on Sunday night. Playing with a relatively new system and dynamics on the field, Carlo Ancelotti’s side found themselves 2-0 down at halftime only to turn it around after the break.
The biggest story on the night, however, was the debut of Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder started the game for Los Blancos and played 65 minutes on the night, impressing the manager in the process.
The debutant spoke after the team’s stunning 3-2 win over AC Milan earlier this week and summarised the game that panned out in both halves at Rose Bowl Stadium.
“It was a pleasure. I think the first half we actually played some good stuff but then they had two breaks and two decent finishes, but I always felt like we will win the game.”
Despite the limelight being on him and his first minutes as a Real Madrid player, Bellingham did not fail to applaud the effort of his teammates, especially the goalscorers on the night.
“Fede with two brilliant finishes and then Viní scored the winner so yeah, just a pleasure to start off with a win. Long may it continue.”
Finally, the teenager was asked about the pressure of playing for a club like Real Madrid and whether he felt nervous about donning the white colour. The former Borussia Dortmund star, however, refuted any such feeling and said,
“Nervous? Not really to be honest. I felt quite calm, got on the ball more or less straight away and soon as I had it I felt really comfortable. And the lads are unbelievable to play with.”
Source: Real Madrid website
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.
