Real Madrid News
Real Madrid see 22-year-old former academy star as an option to improve defence
Real Madrid are solely responsible for the defensive crisis they have on their hands for all the fingers can be pointed to the poor management of their summer transfer window.
Los Blancos were highly linked with a transfer for Leny Yoro and based all their plans taking the youngster’s signing for granted when they were still in the process of bargaining his fee.
They hoped the player would stand firm on his decision to sign for Real Madrid while pushing away other offers which is why they let go of the likes of Nacho Fernandez and Rafa Marin in the same overconfidence.
Eventually, Yoro never arrived and left the club with just two starting-quality fit centre-backs.
Looking back at Marin
As relayed in a recent update by The Athletic, Los Blancos have come a full circle and now see Rafa Marin to be a possible solution to their problems.
The young and highly-rated defender was at the club less than six months ago but was pushed out as they saw him as a surplus resource. Now, they hope to utilise his lack of playing time at Napoli to enable a return home.
The administration see Marin as a player who knows the club well and the high standards that come with playing at Real Madrid. Moreover, Real Madrid have an affordable buy-back clause and wish to utilise the same.
The 22-year-old moved to Napoli in the summer for a fee of €12 million but he has struggled to gain prominence in Italy. So far, he has not made his debut in Serie A and has played just one game for the club.
Los Blancos have several buy-back clauses on the player which change with the time elapsed since his move. The current deal includes a buy-back clause worth €25 million for 2026 and €35 million for 2027.
It thus remains to be seen if the club can negotiate a return in January or in the summerwhich is far before the agreed date of a buy-back. Given that it benefits all parties, however, it may not be as complicated as it appears.
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.
