Real Madrid News
Real Madrid to consider managerial position before targeting new players in the summer
It has not been the best of seasons for Real Madrid. Although the reigning European champions recently advanced to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League with a resounding 6-2 aggregate win over Liverpool, they have not fared well in the domestic competitions.
The Whites are currently trailing La Liga league leaders FC Barcelona by a whopping nine-point margin. They have also lost to their arch-rivals in the first-leg of the Copa Del Rey semifinal tie, which has put further pressure on Carlo Ancelotti.
To that end, Fabrizio Romano (h/t MadridXtra) reports that Real Madrid’s preparation for the season ahead will depend heavily on what happens in regard to the club’s managerial position.
There is no secret that Ancelotti has been linked with a potential exit from Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season. The coach himself feels he could be outed if Real Madrid fail to win anything come May.
But perhaps more importantly, Ancelotti feels he has not been given the same level of trust by the board, which was a key reason why Real Madrid did not sign too many players last summer. The situation is quite synonymous with Ancelotti’s first spell at the Bernabeu.
In addition to Real Madrid’s poor form in the domestic circuit, the Brazilian national team has also come knocking at the door of the Italian manager, who has been identified as the ideal replacement for Tite. The former Brazil manager relinquished his duties after the nation’s debacle at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Nevertheless, Real Madrid’s activity in the summer transfer market will depend heavily on who coaches the club next season. Therefore, it would perhaps be wiser for the club to start scouting for potential replacements for Ancelotti.
The likes of Thomas Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp have been linked with moves to Santiago Bernabeu, but an interesting alternative could be Raul, the club legend who is currently coaching the RM Castilla squad and could be ready to take the next huge step in his managerial career.
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
Zero
March 17, 2023 at 10:39 am
If their going to change ancelotti then just bring back Zidane.. I’ll rather have Zidane than Raul or anyone at all..