Real Madrid News
Real Madrid set to target two centre-backs in the summer; Bundesliga star an option – Romano
Real Madrid’s season has recently taken a turn for the worse following recent slip-ups in La Liga, which is combined with an injury problem that has started resurfacing.
Keeping that in mind, the Spanish giants are presumably gearing up for an important summer ahead, where reinforcements could be critical.
It has been reported for quite some time now that Real Madrid are particularly keen on shoring up their ranks in the defensive unit.
Real Madrid eyeing reinforcements in central defence
That has now been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano (h/t Madrid Zone). The Italian transfer expert suggests Real Madrid are set to target one or two centre-backs in the coming summer.
This comes despite the fact that Los Blancos have missed out on multiple defensive targets over the past six months, including the likes of Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate and Marc Guehi.
That said, one of Real Madrid’s top options is Nico Schlotterbeck. The German international could be playing his last season at Borussia Dortmund, who are likely to miss out on the Bundesliga title once again.
Schlotterbeck is an ambitious defender with the ability to play the ball out from the back. He also has leadership qualities, making him an ideal target for Real Madrid.
Romano adds that Los Blancos are certainly interested in Schlotterbeck and had sent scouts to monitor him in action in the recent game against Bayern Munich.
However, Dortmund are likely to make things difficult for Real Madrid, considering the fact that they are already losing one of their star players, Julian Brandt, this coming summer, on a free transfer.
The Bundesliga giants, therefore, will try their best to not only keep hold of Schlotterbeck but also tie him down to a long-term contract.
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.
