Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will announce three more player renewals soon after Kroos’ extension
The summer of 2023 was always going to be critical for Real Madrid. For starters, the Merengues always saw the window as one where the team would witness a change of guard to a new generation. Moreover, with several stars’ contracts running out this summer, it was always going to be an uphill battle.
The talk until June, unsurprisingly, centred around renewals of key players. After all, Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, Marco Asensio, Dani Ceballos, and Nacho Fernandez were amongst the names set to be out of contract.
Yet, the renewals now seem to be forgotten amidst the club’s newfound hunt for new signings. MARCA provides an update on the quiescent operations.
According to the Spanish outlet, Real Madrid always planned to announce the contract terminations first and then focus on extending deals with players. After all, they have an agreement in principle with all those who opted to stay.
The new contracts of Luka Modric, Dani Ceballos, and Nacho Fernandez will thus be announced in the coming days. Toni Kroos’ renewal, which was also on hold for a long time, was announced earlier today.
Of the three players, the Croatian international’s renewal to stay was the easiest for Real Madrid to agree on. After all, Modric was clear that he wished to play at the highest level for one more year irrespective of his role.
The sagas of Ceballos and Nacho were far more difficult. Both Spaniards seriously considered a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu in search of a more prominent role. In the end, however, they could not resist Los Blancos’ final offer.
Looking ahead to next season, none of the aforementioned players have guaranteed roles in the starting lineup. While Nacho faces the same competition as last season, the midfielders will likely be behind Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham on the pecking order.
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.
