Real Madrid News
UCL-winning manager wants Real Madrid job, learning Spanish already – report
The topic of Carlo Ancelotti’s departure from Real Madrid has gathered steam in recent weeks. The Italian tactician has seen no dearth of silverware during his second stint at the club, yet, the astronomical standards bring even a mild slump in form under intense scrutiny.
A broader perspective, however, reveals that Real Madrid’s problems have displayed premonitory signs for a long time now.
The European Champions have always had their weak spots and holes but managed to cover them up more often than not through individual brilliance. The team’s run in the Champions League last season is the best such example.
A run of three winless games has now put Ancelotti under unprecedented pressure. With the league slipping out of their hands and the home defeat in the Cup semifinal, his presence on the sidelines next season is far from guaranteed.
And, according to reports from Gary Jacob of The Times, Thomas Tuchel is learning Spanish to target the managerial job at Real Madrid.
The German manager last managed Chelsea and even took the London-based side to a UEFA Champions League title during his time at the club. Poor form in the league cost him his job and he was shown the doors in September 2022.
A vastly experienced manager, Tuchel had stints at high-profile clubs such as Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain before enjoying success at Chelsea, although he did not last long after the change in ownership at Stamford Bridge last year.
Tuchel averages close to two points per game from 2008, with his career high of 2.35 points per game coming at his stint with PSG. He has tasted victory in 58% of his encounters so far with losses occupying 24%.
The former Chelsea manager is the latest in a long list of potential replacements if Ancelotti departs in the summer. Raul Gonzalez, Mikel Arteta, and Mauricio Pochettino are just some of the other names on the table. Needless to say, a lot will depend on Los Blancos’ performance and result in the UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder trained away from the group last week, but has no injury – report
With the international break underway, several Real Madrid players have been called up for national team assignments. The stars who have not travelled for international duty have continued to work at the club’s Valdebebas training facility to prepare for the restart.
Toni Kroos is one such player who has remained in Madrid, having retired from international football back in 2021.
However, there had been concerns growing around the 33-year-old’s physical condition as he regularly did indoor work last week and was not spotted in group training with his teammates.
Now, Sergio Quirante has come up with an update on Kroos’ situation, stating that even though the midfielder largely did individual work inside the facilities over the last week, he is fine and has no injuries.
Taking advantage of the international break, the former Bayern Munich superstar is understood to have gone through an individual program to prepare for the final, decisive stretch of the 2022/23 season.
Kroos not being injured comes as a big positive for Real Madrid, ahead of important games against Real Valladolid and Barcelona within the first five days of April.
The rest of the Real Madrid midfield contingent – Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Dani Ceballos – are all away on international duties and could return with some fatigue from the travel.
So, it is important that Kroos is fully fit and ready to go as Real Madrid look to cut down the gap to the top of the table in La Liga and also make it to the finals of the Copa del Rey by overturning a first-leg deficit against Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Kroos has played 37 matches this season, chipping in with two goals and five assists in the process. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it is still unclear whether he will renew or hang up his boots.
