Real Madrid News
Real Madrid youngster set to sign a new contract and join Real Betis on loan
After announcing the departure of Jesus Vallejo on loan earlier today, Real Madrid are set to seal the temporary exit of yet another defender imminently.
Indeed, according to journalist Sergio Santos, Real Madrid starlet Rafa Marin is close to joining Real Betis on a loan deal. The 21-year-old centre-half will do so after signing a new contract with the Merengues.
Marin is a product of the Real Madrid academy, having been at the club since 2016, when he moved from the Sevilla youth setup.
The young centre-half has made steady progress through the youth ranks at the Spanish capital outfit and has been a permanent fixture at the heart of the defence for Real Madrid Castilla under Raul Gonzalez over the past couple of years.
Marin has trained with the senior players under Carlo Ancelotti and has been called up to the matchday squad, but has not made his first-team debut yet.
With stalwarts like Eder Militao, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, and Nacho occupying the first-team centre-back slots, there is simply no space for Marin in Ancelotti’s plans at the moment.
As such, an exit has been on the cards for Marin with no shortage of interest either as clubs from Germany, Spain, England, Italy, and the Netherlands have been following the youngster.
Real Madrid are very well aware of the 21-year-old’s potential and know that his progression should not stop, for which he needs to play regularly. As such, they are now ready to loan him out but will do so after renewing his contract as his current deal expires in 2024.
The report goes on to add that Real Madrid are negotiating a deal with Betis that would also include a buy option for Los Verdiblancos, where the youngster will be one of the main four centre-backs in the senior squad.
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.
