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Associated Press
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Real Madrid great Raúl ending his academy role to coach elsewhere
MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid great Raúl González is leaving his role as a coach in the club's youth academy. The 47-year-old Raúl spent seven years in the academy and coached several youth teams in the 2018-19 season. He helped the under-19s win the Youth League in 2020. 'Raúl has informed the club of his decision to end his time as a coach at our youth academy,' Madrid said on Tuesday. 'Real Madrid is proud to have had one of the greatest legends in our history and world football as a coach and trainer at our youth academy. Raúl also exemplifies all the values of Real Madrid. Values that he has also passed on as a coach.' Raúl said he enjoyed the job, which made him 'grow as a professional and as a person.' 'I want to thank the club of my life for the opportunity it has given me,' Raúl said. 'A new phase begins in my life as a coach outside of this club, with the certainty that I'll eventually return to this place that will always be my home.' Raúl starred for Madrid as a player from the late 1990s until 2010, and with Spain until 2006. 'Raúl will always be in the hearts of all madridistas, and Real Madrid will always be his home,' the club added. Madrid's B team is set to be coached by former player Álvaro Arbeloa. ___ AP soccer:
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
What we learned from Xabi Alonso's first Real Madrid press conference
When Xabi Alonso was officially presented as Real Madrid's new manager yesterday, there was an air of nothing having changed. 'I am very happy at what I feel is my home,' he said, almost 11 years after he played his last match for Madrid. 'The link with madridismo never ceased. When I returned to Valdebebas an hour and half ago, that feeling was reborn.' Advertisement The Spanish coach started this phase of his career on the bench at the academy of Los Blancos, a fact highlighted by the club president, Florentino Perez: 'We all knew very well what your fate would be since you first sat on a bench in 2018, with Infantil A,' he said. In an impeccable outfit and without using notes, Alonso commented in particular on his memory of Carlo Ancelotti, who he replaced, and for whom he played at Madrid and Bayern Munich. The two have been in contact in the past few weeks. 'Probably, without his mastery and the learning I had from him, I wouldn't be here,' said Alonso. 'I pick up the legacy with a lot of honour and pride.' Minutes earlier, Alonso had a contract-signing ceremony, during which he posed with president Perez and a Madrid shirt with his name on it. Then he recorded his first message to the madridistas in the room with the Champions League trophies, choosing the La Decima — the 10th — as the background for his video. That was a very special conquest for everyone at the club, coming 12 years after they had last won it and against their great rival Atletico Madrid, who they beat 4-1 in the most agonising of ways. 🤳 ¡El primer mensaje de @XabiAlonso como nuestro nuevo entrenador!🆕 #WelcomeXabi — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) May 26, 2025 Alonso missed that final due to suspension, but he ran from the stands to the corner to celebrate one of the goals with his team-mates, a sprint that will always be remembered. The presentation of his return as manager was held at the Valdebebas basketball pavilion and Alonso was surrounded by his people, including his wife, Nagore, who was in the front row. Also close by was his technical staff, made up of Sebas Parrilla (assistant coach), Alberto Encinas (assistant), Ismael Camenforte-Lopez (physical trainer) and Benat Labaien (analyst who was not with him at Bayer Leverkusen). Advertisement Present too were the very excited Alvaro Arbeloa, one of Xabi's best friends who this summer will be promoted to coach Real Madrid Castilla (the club's reserve team); Santi Solari, director of football; and Roberto Carlos, ambassador. Raul was not there, despite him usually being at such events, but that is mainly because he is leaving after six seasons in charge of Castilla. The hustle and bustle in the Valdebebas press room reflected how big a day it was for Madrid. It felt more like the prelude to an important Champions League fixture, with 130 journalists in attendance. After a longer wait than expected, at 2.05pm Alonso appeared through the door, escorted by Emilio Butragueno, Madrid legend and director of institutional relations, as well as several staff members from the press department. Alonso made his way to the chair, unbuttoned his suit jacket and said good morning as he sat down and smiled. He left the room 20 minutes later, with a 'Thank you very much', having answered 19 questions. Many of the comments afterwards were about what great shape Alonso is in. He is only 43 years old. Twice he was asked about Luka Modric, only four years his junior, whose contract is not being renewed. The coach avoided clarifying whether or not he asked the club for the Croatian to continue. He also declined to comment on whether he will use a system with two or three central defenders or whether he will play with two or three strikers: 'It's a good question,' he said, without providing an answer. Despite being wary of stepping in any 'puddles', he provided several potential headlines, including that he 'obviously' sees Jude Bellingham as a midfielder. Or on Rodrygo, one of the doubts for this summer, saying 'we need him' and that he will talk to him and all the players. Alonso spoke about how active the club is and will continue to be in the market. 'Our duty is to always want to improve in any facet,' he said. 'I want to have this communication and vision with the club to reach a consensus. It's not that I come with demands, but to work as a team to improve.' Advertisement That is no small statement, coming after four years in which Ancelotti's requests were barely heard by the board. But Alonso has already pushed for the signing of Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth and for the arrival of Alvaro Carreras, for whom Madrid is in talks with Benfica. 'I want the people who see us to say, 'This is the team I like', that people go to the stadium to enjoy,' he said. But after the words, it's time for the facts.
Arab News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Real Madrid great Luka Modric leaving club after 13 years. Exit to follow Club World Cup
MADRID: Real Madrid and midfielder Luka Modric — the most decorated player in the club's history — have agreed to part ways after the Club World Cup. The 39-year-old Modric will leave after an 'unforgettable time as a player at our club,' the club said in Thursday's announcement. Madrid will pay tribute to Modric in their last match of the season Saturday against Real Sociedad in La Liga at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The Club World Cup starts in mid-June in the United States. 'The moment has arrived,' Modric said on social media. 'The moment I never wanted to come, but that's football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end. On Saturday, I'll play my last game at the Santiago Bernabeu.' Modric arrived at Madrid in 2012 and became a key player during one of the most successful periods in the club's history. 'Real Madrid wishes to express its immense gratitude and appreciation for a player who has become a true legend both of our club and world football,' the club said. In 13 seasons, Modric helped the club win 28 titles: six European Cups, six Club World Cups, five European Super Cups, four Spanish leagues, two Copas del Rey and five Spanish Super Cups. 'Luka Modric will forever remain in the hearts of all madridistas (Madrid fans) as a unique and exemplary footballer who has always embodied the values of Real Madrid,' club president Florentino Perez said. 'His football has captured the imagination of madridismo and fans all over the world. His legacy will live on forever.' The Croatia international has made 590 appearances for Madrid — eighth on the club's all-time list — and has scored 43 goals. He had been playing fewer minutes in recent seasons under coach Carlo Ancelotti. He is one of only five players to have won six European Cups. In 2018, Modric won the Ballon d'Or, was named FIFA's best men's player and UEFA's men's player of the year. Twice he's been named the best midfielder in the Champions League. 'I'm leaving filled with pride, gratitude and unforgettable memories,' Modric said. 'And although after the Club World Cup I won't wear this shirt on the field again, I'll always be a madridista.' Modric did not indicate his post-Madrid plans, but a motivating factor could be that the 2026 World Cup is only a year away. Modric's 186 matches for Croatia make him the nation's record-holder for international appearances. He won the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup in Russia — where Croatia lost the final to France — and the Bronze Ball at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
National Post
22-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Luka Modric leaving Real Madrid after the Club World Cup
Real Madrid and midfielder Luka Modrić — the most decorated player in the club's history — have agreed to part ways after the Club World Cup. Article content Article content The 39-year-old Modric will leave after an 'unforgettable time as a player at our club,' Madrid said on Thursday. Article content 'Real Madrid wishes to express its immense gratitude and appreciation for a player who has become a true legend both of our club and world football.' Article content Modric arrived at Madrid in 2012 and became a key player during one of the most successful periods in the club's history. Article content In 13 seasons, Modric helped the club win 28 titles: Six European Cups, six Club World Cups, five European Super Cups, four Spanish leagues, two Copas del Rey and five Spanish Super Cups. Article content He had been playing fewer minutes in recent seasons under coach Carlo Ancelotti. Article content The Club World Cup starts mid-June in the United States, and Madrid will pay tribute to Modric in its last match of the season on Saturday against Real Sociedad in La Liga at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Article content 'Luka Modric will forever remain in the hearts of all madridistas (Madrid fans) as a unique and exemplary footballer who has always embodied the values of Real Madrid,' club president Florentino Perez said. 'His football has captured the imagination of madridismo and fans all over the world. His legacy will live on forever.' Article content Modric has 590 appearances for Madrid — eighth on the club's all-time list — and 43 goals. Article content He is one of only five players to have won six European Cups. Article content In 2018, Modric won the Ballon d'Or, was named FIFA's best men's player and UEFA's men's player of the year. Twice he's been named the best midfielder in the Champions League. Article content
