Real Madrid News
Report – Real Madrid’s stance on making Santiago Solari the permanent manager if he wins Club World Cup
According to a report by journalists Hugo Cerezo and Alfredo Matilla (via Madrid Zone), Santiago Solari is in the conversation at Real Madrid, but not as a long-term managerial option.
The journalists mention that the club continue to hold Solari in high regard, particularly for the role he played during the 2018/19 season.
That campaign saw him begin a necessary generational transition, promoting Vinicius Jr. and moving away from veterans such as Gareth Bale, Isco, and Marcelo. While it was a short spell, it is one the club remembers fondly.
Solari could return
Solari has remained closely linked to the club since his departure as manager, and Real Madrid value his understanding of the institution.
The report claims that once Carlo Ancelotti depart this summer, Solari is viewed as a potential interim solution, especially for the FIFA Club World Cup.
However, it is already clear that even if he wins that tournament, Solari will not be considered for the permanent managerial role.
The reasoning is simple. Real Madrid view him as a safe and stabilising short-term figure. His coaching career has largely taken a backseat in recent years, and his current role as director of football has kept him connected with the club.
Despite being in pole position to take over on an interim basis, Solari is not seen as a star coach nor someone who would threaten the club’s longer-term vision, namely, the more than likely arrival of Xabi Alonso.
Solari won’t demand much
If Solari steps in temporarily, he is unlikely to demand control or push for long-term planning, making the eventual handover to Alonso far easier for the club to manage.
Meanwhile, the final months of Ancelotti’s reign remain somewhat uncertain. While it is almost certain that the Italian will leave at the end of the current campaign, it remains unclear whether he will be allowed to oversee the Club World Cup.
His move to coach the Brazil national team is on hold, leaving his immediate future unresolved.
In any case, Solari’s potential appointment would simply serve to keep the ship steady before Real Madrid launch a new era under a different, more permanent figure.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho reacts to Vinicius suspension: “Why announce it two hours before an important match?”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the RFEF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to announce Vinicius Jr.’s four-match suspension just hours before their UEFA Champions League meeting with AS Roma on Wednesday.
The Brazilian has been hit with a four-match ban for his red card against Villarreal, meaning he will miss the matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
And, speaking to Movistar+ (h/t MARCA) before the match, the Real Madrid manager was asked whether the punishment could affect the Brazilian psychologically.
Mourinho instead turned his attention to the football authorities and the timing of their announcement.
“I think that is a question for the Committee. Why have they announced the suspension at this particular moment? If you are asking me this question, it is presumably because you think it could affect him,” the Portuguese coach replied.
“You should ask the Committee why they did not announce it this morning, or tomorrow morning. Why do they do it two hours before a match that is important for Real Madrid, which is a Spanish club?” he added, questioning the timing of the decision.
Mourinho explains his tactical approach against Roma
The Real Madrid manager also outlined his plan for facing a Roma side known for their aggressive pressing.
“My intention is to stop them from pressing us so high up the pitch, given the players we have available and as a precaution,” he said.
Continuing, the Portuguese manager added: “They press man-to-man higher up the pitch better than anyone else, and we will see whether we can take advantage of that. If not, they will have to drop their press five or ten metres.”
Why Rudiger over Huijsen
Mourinho also justified his decision to start Antonio Rudiger at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate rather than Dean Huijsen.
“They played very well together in the last match, Rudiger and Konate, showing great leadership and the ability to withstand a difficult situation when we had ten men for 30 minutes,” he said.
“I am not saying Dean is not capable of playing a match like this, but this is a wonderful atmosphere for Roma and a difficult one for us. I think a player with Antonio’s experience can be important,” Mourinho added.
Finally, Mourinho was asked about his emotions ahead of returning to face Roma, the club he managed between 2021 and 2024.
The Portuguese coach offered a brief response, saying that he had his feelings about the occasion “blocked”.
