Real Madrid News
Real Madrid target’s special €50-60 million release clause has an expiry date – report
Nico Schlotterbeck has been in the news even after his contract renewal at Borussia Dortmund, particularly due to a special release clause embedded in his deal.
Despite a contract until 2031, it has been extensively reported that Schlotterbeck has a release clause worth around €50-60 million that can be activated by a select few clubs in the coming summer.
Real Madrid, alongside Liverpool, are among the clubs that are eligible for this special release clause. Bayern Munich are interestingly not a part of the list.
Schlotterbeck’s release clause expiry date
However, Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg has issued a key piece of clarification as far as Schlotterbeck’s release clause is concerned.
It appears the German’s buyout clause will not be active throughout the entirety of the summer transfer window, but rather only for a brief period.
Plettenberg suggests the former Freiburg starlet’s activation clause will expire at the time of the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He has even given a particular timeframe, stating that the clause will expire on July 19. This will still give Real Madrid ample time to potentially offload a few players in order to fund the move for the Borussia Dortmund defender.
Schlotterbeck, after all, is regarded as one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga and his left-footed ball-playing abilities would make him an ideal signing for Los Blancos.
He could become an ideal defensive partner for someone like Dean Huijsen in the long run. Not to mention, the German has leadership qualities, which makes him an even more precious commodity in the market.
For now, Schlotterbeck will be focused on finishing the season strong and enjoy a solid World Cup in North America.
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.
