Real Madrid News
Real Madrid president accepts blame for failed season – errors with coach choice, not the squad
The search for a new manager at Real Madrid has once again become a central topic at Valdebebas.
Names such as Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, Didier Deschamps and Jose Mourinho continue to circulate, and the final decision rests with club president Florentino Perez, who has yet to make up his mind.
Taking responsibility
Now, according to ABC, Perez intends to take full control of the decision of the new coach appointment after a season in which two long-term managerial bets failed within just ten months.
Both Xabi Alonso, dismissed in January, and Alvaro Arbeloa, who will not continue beyond the end of the league campaign, are considered personal errors in judgement by the president and he is taking responsibility for the disappointing season.
This comes after internal assessment carried out by Perez following the club’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League against Bayern Munich, leaving the team on course for a trophyless season.
During this period of reflection, Perez has also acknowledged that the managerial change came too late, which did not help Arbeloa. The president had considered dismissing Alonso earlier, following a league defeat to Celta Vigo in early December, but was persuaded to wait.
Alonso was ultimately sacked on 12 January after losing the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona.
Arbeloa’s arrival, alongside fitness coach Antonio Pintus, brought some signs of improvement, but not enough to meet expectations. Despite his appreciation for Arbeloa, Perez believes the progress remained insufficient.
Players not at blame
Significantly, the Real Madrid president’s internal analysis absolves the players of responsibility. Perez maintains that the squad possesses both quality and untapped potential, and believes that a top-level manager could restore their best form.
As a result, he does not intend to undertake a major overhaul of the team. Instead, the focus will be on strengthening specific areas, particularly central defence, right-back, and midfield.
Other adjustments may include the return of Nico Paz and Víctor Munoz, the reintegration of Endrick after his loan spell at Lyon, and potential departures such as loans for Franco Mastantuono and a sale with a buy-back clause for Gonzalo Garcia.
The club would also consider generating revenue through the sales of players like Raul Asencio, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos and Fran Garcia.
While changes are expected, they are unlikely to be as extensive or as immediate as fans might hope. Perez believes there is time to act carefully, particularly with the upcoming FIFA World Cup set to influence decisions taken during the summer.
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.
