Real Madrid News
Real Madrid tracking 17-year-old Spanish defensive prodigy
Real Madrid are going all out in their pursuit of local talents. While their search for the next big thing in South America has been publicly known for a long time now, the Spanish market appears to have recently caught the administration’s eye.
The Merengues have been all over rival club academies in recent weeks, especially that of Atletico Madrid. It is said that the club are eyeing as many as five Rojiblanco players of which they have completed at least two.
AS reports another young gem who has caught Real Madrid’s eye. According to the Spanish outlet, Malaga youth player Izan Merino is the latest on their wishlist.
The Spanish centre-back is just 17 years old but has shown maturity beyond his years throughout his development. As a result, his ascent up the ranks has been accelerated.
He began the 2022/23 season with the Juvenil B team as soon was given the push to Juvenil A. His rise did not stop there.
At the tender age of 16, he made his debut for Atletico Malagueno. The Malaga subsidiary team are currently competing for promotion from the third RFEF and the youngster has been an undisputed starter for them.
Merino also regularly trains with the Malaga first team and is expected to make the jump soon. Considering that he just turned 17 last month, his CV is beyond impressive.
If Real Madrid sign the youngster, it would almost certainly be for Raul’s Castilla side where he would be acquainted with the club’s ways.
The prodigy could have what it takes to play for Real Madrid, but a fine-tuning of his skills and experience at the highest level will be required to prepare him for the challenge.
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.
