REAL MADRID | THE BENITEZ - PEREZ CONVERSATIONS

English paper "Daily Mail" published today supposed conversations between Real Madrid President Florentino Perez & ex-Coach Rafa Benitez. One of the published quotes is a real beauty & I have no option but to post here; Florentino Perez to Rafa Benitez:

"Do you know how many shirts James sells? Kovacic does not sell us a single shirt"

This apparently was said during the period when James Rodriguez was sitting more on the bench than playing on the field. The English paper article strengthens what many Football insiders already suspect (or know), that President Florentino Perez is an interventionist. 

One of the reasons Carlo Ancelotti was let go was that President Perez believed that he was too soft, that the players had gotten the upper-hand over their Coach.   

These "little" filtrations from "insiders" give an insight to the inner workings of the World Biggest Football Club, & how the economic factors sit alongside ( or above) the Sporting issue.

Difficult place for a coach to do his work.

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REAL MADRID | CRISIS - ONCE AGAIN

Real Madrid was run over last Saturday by FC Barcelona 0 - 4 in "El Clasico" & as expected its the end of the World for the former. The backlash has been so intense that President Florentino Perez has had to come out this afternoon in a press conference to back his Coach Rafael Benitez who has been hammered. The nasty rumour is that the dressing room has no faith in their Coach & desire that Benitez be "pushed aside", with Cristiano Ronaldo apparently one of leading callers.  The Portuguese player is also thinking elsewhere for next season & Benitez could be helping with his decision.

With these last claims there is no evidential truth, but media insiders say that its common knowledge in the "inner circles". President Florentino Perez has had to put out fires announcing his full support for Benitez. But we have seen this before, last year when Perez gave full support to Ancelotti when under fire he then sacked him later. 

The Real Madrid President has again put the blame this afternoon on the media, "which is out to get him". Sounds too familiar, its an old tactic to cover the numerous Football decision which have turned out to be mistakes. No one doubts that Florentino Perez is an expert business & finance man & has turned Real Madrid into the Worlds Richest Club, but he has no idea about Football. His period as Real Madrid President (2 periods) are full of big mistakes:

• letting go of Makelele ,
• letting go of Seedrof ,
• sacking Coach Vicente del Bosque,
• Signing Kaka...others, 
• Signing Luxemburg, Pellegrini,...others,  
• Not signing Luis Suarez, not good enough according to him,
• Sacking Carlo Ancelotti,
• PERHAPS - signing Rafael Benitez.

These are just a few in a long list of poor decisions.

What about Benitez? Like all Coaches it will depend if he can maintain victories. Winning is the only guarantee, not the hallow words of a President with doubtful credibility & at the whim of maintaining himself in power. The hard fact is that not only has FC Barcelona smashed Real Madrid last Saturday, Barça has been running over Real Madrid the last 10 years.

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SERGIO RAMOS FOR 65M€ | REAL MADRID OPEN TO OFFERS

Spanish Sports daily "AS" has picked up & put on their cover the story that came out of another media source - a National Sports late-night radio - that Real Madrid Central Defender Sergio Ramos has a serious fall-out with President Florentino Perez. The relationship is said to be deteriorated to the extent that if another Club was to offer around 65M€ Real Madrid would let him go. 

True or false, the main issue is that the real conflict behind it all is that Sergio Ramos wants his salary to be improved: money. The recent renewal of the Cristiano Ronaldo contract has encouraged the Spanish International to "demand" that he too be "improved" because he considers himself a Club "top level" member. The problem is that Sergio Ramos has three years left of his contract & Real Madrid thinks that it is not the moment to even consider or discuss the players economic & professional situation at the Club.

This has angered Sergio Ramos who - according to another media source - thinks that President Florentino Perez is using his influence with certain Football media journalists to discredit him. Thus the fall out between player & President,  which previous was all the reverse as Ramos has always been the "favourite" & some say "the protected" of the Club President. 

The issue has transcended onto the field were the form of the Spanish International is not at its best level. The defender is slow, not concentrated & his Coach Ancelotti believes takes too many unnecessary risks detrimental for the squad. The red card against Galatasaray in Champions League last Wednesday was the 17th,  a "new Club record". The red card caused his Coach to reprimand Ramos on his way to the dressing room & later when asked in post - press interviews commented that the players seems to no listen to his "friendly" advice to not risk. 

Some Football insiders close to the Real Madrid technical team go further & indicate that just as Ancelotti has a professional preference for Diego Lopez over Iker Casillas as goalkeeper, so too does the Coach have a professional preference for Central Defenders. For the Italian Coach Pepe & Varane are his choice, but the continuing knee problems with Varane has halted "for now" his field choices. Ancelotti has even put Ramos back in the right wing to keep the player on the field & thus avoid a "dressing room incident", but the Defender has indicated that he prefers the central defence. 

Real Madrid has put a firm foot forward & has let known to the player that if he wishes to leave they will hear the offer, & better if around the 65M€ mark. The idea is to halt the continuing player demands & hope the Ramos focuses his mind away from Presidential conspiracy theories with media & concentrates on lifting his form & Football back to the levels that has put him at the top of World Football.

If the defender cannot get his mind back on course we may be in for an interesting few months ahead as Ramos could find himself on the bench - as Casillas - were he will begin to think that the Club President has ordered he be put there. This last line of thought would be dangerous for the Club, the team & the player, a tactic well worth avoiding & better concentrate on his Football to simply play better than the last couple of months which has not been of a level that justifies any salary improvement. In fact, his on field performance better justifies a salary reduction.

Stay tuned!  

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REAL MADRID | TRANSFER NEWS - GOSSIP FOR SEASON 2013-2014

Spanish Sports paper "Marca" has put on its front cover today a story titled "The plans of Florentino" discussing the wishes & possible signing targets the Real Madrid CF has for next season 2013 - 2014.

With the above image courtesy of the Spanish paper, they speculate that President Florentino & Real Madrid will be going for: Neymar, Lewandowski, Bale, Isco, Carvajal & Casemiro. 

Studying other sources & International press Real Madrid can basically forget about the first two:

• Neymar will finally end up in FC Barcelona, this is what the player desires & has signed a pre-agreement to this effect. What Real Madrid has managed to do is "stick it up" Barça by lifting the initial transfer offer from 40 to 60 M€ just by their "interference". One can say that indirectly Real Madrid has been strategically successful.
• Lewandowski will go to Bayern Munich, this is the wish & desire of the Polish forward. Real Madrid can forget this option,  & now have Napoles Cavani as their main striker target.

The rest are still open:

• According to UK press, Real Madrid will make an initial 50M€ to Tottenham Hotspurs for Gareth Bale & offer a player to chose from; Higuain, Di Maria, Coentrao, Pepe etc. This will be a very difficult operation & will go on all summer. We need to watch how it all develops.
• Malaga FC has priced its midfielder Isco at 35M€. Negotiations will continue.
• Carvajal is an option but it ain´t too clear. The next new Coach ( Carlo Ancelotti ) will have a big say here.
• Cashemiro looks set to stay at Real Madrid. The Brazilian has given good sensations & his price is 6M€ that Sao Paolo will receive in the operation.

There are more names floating around & as always a "surprise" will arise in coming weeks or months , but this is how it is for now. It may change tomorrow & I have no doubt that it will.

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REAL MADRID POLITICS | JOSE MOURINHO TO LEAVE PRESIDENT FLORENTINO PEREZ TO STAY

Everything indicates that the "Mourinho era" at Real Madrid has come to its end. Scorched earth some claim, a created disaster area like a recently passed Hurricane. The "Special One" came to put back the glory back onto Real Madrid & will leave with only a Spanish Cup, Liga & Spanish SuperCup title. Not bad at all for any other Club, but not with Real Madrid that measures success with Champions Leagues titles, none with Mourinho, only three straight semi-finals. This can be debated elsewhere.

The Spanish Cup Final was the "last straw" for many, with a loss & thus a dry season of no titles, a "rude" non-appearance to pick up the runners-up plate in front of the King of Spain, a divided dressing room with player rebellions & a "media war", all further darkening the image of the Club again. I say again because there has been a long string of infamous acts in the last three years with "Mou" ( eye poking Barça Vilanova for example) that have blemished the Club & its History; all in the name of victories, knocking off FC Barcelona & attempting the desired 10th Champions League title. All was fair in war...but why not now?

Everyone blames Mourinho, but what about the Club President that hired him? That same Real Madrid President Florentino Perez that said publicly ..."Mourinho is the Best Coach in the World, a Coach that represents that values of Real Madrid months back? 

Today, local media speculate that the Club may actually announce the sacking of Mourinho this Monday or Tuesday. Others say that Mourinho will carry on until the last two Liga matches before announcing a mutual goodbye. Some players will pop Champagne corks along with their allied media partners which have worked so hard to "crush Mourinho", but again, what about the President of Real Madrid? Squeaky clean Florentino Perez , is about to face Club Presidential re-election without opponents. How is this possible under such "devastating" institutional Club turmoil?

Here is my humble theory.

Mourinho let known to President Florentino Perez early this year that he would leave. Both then made a "secret pact" of,  you rub my back & I´ll rub your back. President Florentino Perez with Presidential elections in June had to avoid at all costs being seen as the "bad guy" & thus "suggested" to Mourinho the he become his protective shield,  "the public bad guy" in case of a non title season. Accepting this role Real Madrid would facilitate the departure for Mourinho without much drama & if in the course Mourinho would have won a title,  better for him as he could leave with some pride & honour. Although the last was not possible Mourinho continues with his "Oscar performing role" to shield the President of Real Madrid Florentino Perez.

How do you become the bad guy overnight? How do you make things so to ease the decision to leave or even sacking? You turn against a local idiol, the Spanish International Captain & Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. This & add Cristiano Ronaldo in the equation who is the masthead of the Club & all the fans. Add the ingredients of some "non appearances" in front of a King , a red card to stay off the bench in coming games,  & you have a tsunami that has levelled the Club & the public claiming his head. Its simple.

The Iker Casillas affair will one day see the true light. There are rumours that Casillas was a "supergrass" to the press wanting to "destabilize"  his Coach which is unacceptable & unprofessional,  if this is true it is correct to punish & I would go further to say leave the Club. Plus the goalkeeper was failing in form so he needed to be motivated.  Cristiano Ronaldo gave two "shits" at the start of the season for Real Madrid with his "I am sad" comments as he - if correct as speculated - wished to leave the Club & go to Paris St Germain & thus had his head elsewhere which lowered his performance. Sergio Ramos was simply playing bad Football & was part of the blame in important defeats in Liga, the man needed a "serious call & notice". The local media which had been "rubbed up the wrong way" since the arrival of Mourinho now had the fuel needed to build an anti-Mourinho campaign & thus finally served their revenge. But is Mourinho really the blame for everything ? If Mourinho was so bad & damaging why did not the President of the Club take action earlier?

Mourinho will go & another Coach will arrive. If things goes well & important players are´nt messed with, everything OK, but if things go bad the players will again dictate the future & affairs of the Club. Yes, the players. Club Presidents as politicians work to stay in power & make sure that the "shit" flys off to hit others. Club Presidents are always "squeaky clean" & very popular.
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REAL MADRID RETURNS WITH "SPANISH FLAVOUR" PROMISE

Presidential election time coming up soon at Real Madrid & that means lots of promises & fanfare. Today Spanish Sports paper "AS" talks about current President Florentino Perez & his long-time desire to make the team more "Spanish", that is, less foreign players & more local product. Its an idea that comes up every election time & never really gets done. 

This time around Perez has in mind a couple of local material names for next season. The first is 20 year old ISCO of Malaga FC, the pearl of Spanish Football, plus recoup 21 year old right-wing defender Carvajal currently at Bayern Laverkusen.

Isco: Malaga FC

With the latter, why did he leave originally? In fact many home-grown talents have had to leave the Club of their lives to latter return & play: Arbeloa, Diego Lopez, Granero are just a few. In the case of Isco, what about  inhouse youngsters like Morata, Jose Rodriguez, Jese etc. , whom are given little time or opportunities?

It´s  a great idea to give Real Madrid a more Spanish flavour, but I don´t believe it. Heard it all before & the idea never gets put into practice. The "foreign Coach" at the realm nearly always opts for the International composition & leaves the local product "sucking bench" & eventually leaving. Its the characteristic of this Club called Real Madrid, that all the great World players end up playing at the Club ( like Barcelona ) & not always the "Best Spanish players".

Election promises & marketing. Its sound great but Real Madrid fans don't get too excited about it all.
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REAL MADRID CF PLANNING THE FUTURE

REAL MADRID will celebrate Presidental Club elections in June. The current President Florentino Perez is known to base his campaigns with the promise of bringing over big time actual names. Spanish Sports daily based in Barcelona "Sport" reports that there are three names on the Florentino Perez campaign bill: CAVANI, DAVID SILVA & GARETH BALE.  

All three names had been sounding on & off for months & some seasons now, eg David Silva.

This & the persistent rumour that Coach Jose Mourinho will leave the 30th of June give readers an insight into the possible new looking REAL MADRID for next season. However, the history of Florentino Perez indicates that his bets are even higher than most & his winning strategy is to explode into the hearts of the Real Madrid voting members with a "Galatic" signing.

There are few "Galacticos" on the market that are not already secured by their current Clubs: Messi & Iniseta ( FC Barcelona ) , Falcao ( At Madrid ), Rooney (Man United) , Aguero ( Man City ) ...& Neymar ( Santos) . I would not discount either Falcao or Neymar joining the list of the three players already mentioned.

In reference to Neymar, it is a done deal that FC Barcelona has a pre-agreement & the Brazilian will most likely end up at the Spanish Football Club. But Neymar has a history of changing his mind & his inner circle do like the money, so Real Madrid with Florentino Perez at the forefront may make another last attempt to convince Neymar & thus unable him to deliver his election bomb.

Stay tuned!

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REAL MADRID | JOSE MOURINHO THINKING IN LEAVING & DEMANDS PLAYER LOYALTY

News has filtered out that José Mourinho indeed has his mind leaving REAL MADRID at the end of this season. The “confirmation” comes out of the pre-match Atletico de Madrid Spanish Cup players meeting held at the “concentration” hotel were Mourinho gave a 40 minute speech to his players.

Jose Mourinho

Insiders who have leaked to press the content of the meeting say that the players were surprised by the intensity of the José Mourinho talk, claiming undisputed loyalty from his players & that if anyone present  was not 100% behind him to stand up & be noted (there are some players not 100% behind him, although they did not stand up). Mourinho commented that they were now alone in “the battle” & that they as a team would have to pull things together as the Club "suits" have n´t what it takes to go all the way. He also told his players what some media insiders had been suspecting, that he wishes to leave the Club at the end of the season if things do not work out &/or his intense “power battle” with Director General Jorge Valdano does not find a solution.


Some veteran players believe that José Mourinho is bluffing & is pressuring the Club to get his way. However, this is “dangerous” & it will best for these players to follow their Coaches policy.


As I see things, the only calming force to all this in-house fighting & power struggles are victories on the field. If José Mourinho can manage a title this year things will be less stormy than are at this moment. Having said this there is the other possibility, a title (e.g. Champions League/League) will be the motive enough to leave on a winning note & thus strengthen his reputation & prestige.


Stay tuned for developments. The next few months will be interesting & will give plenty of front page news.


Now some HUMOUR:
Spanish Football Sports Blog special uncover reporters managed to filter a hidden camera into one of the REAL MADRID Top level weekly Directives meetings. All the Big players were present – President, Director General, Football Director, Coach & Team Captain. This is what our “uncover” camera managed to film:



NOTE: Any similarity with reality is purely due to unknown & unpredicted coincidence ;O) Tweet

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MOURINHO - VALDANO | REAL MADRID TIME BOMB AWAITING TO EXPLODE

REAL MADRID is in turmoil,   & using a Spanish saying,  the Club is washing their dirty laundry in public. The very latest is the public “tennis match” of bickering & sly undertone comments being flung via the Spanish Media between Club Director General Jorge Valdano & Coach José Mourinho. 


I posted my views last Sunday here “REAL MADRID - RUUD VAN NISTELROOY | SIGNS OF BAD PLANNING BAD MANAGEMENT BAD ORGANIZATION” that gives a birds eye view of things that may be worth a read to put you into context; but yesterday Coach Mourinho ended his “heated” Press Conference answering a question to “Why are you so heated today” with …“…because I wish to leave”.

Mourinho - Valdano

The immediate reaction from those present & watching the TV was that Mourinho wanted to leave the Press Conference, however some press journalists ( Spanish TV Intereconomia, AS…etc) did some investigative calls to “close insiders” & then ran the news that Mourinho is in fact thinking in LEAVING REAL MADRID at the end of the 30th of June . In fact his contract has a release clause that would allow him to do this but at a cost of between 15-20M€ that he would have to pay Real Madrid.


Apparently the relationship between himself & Director General Jorge Valdano is at its limit & some interpret yesterdays comments as a “threat” &/or “me or Valdano” message to Real Madrid President Florentino Perez. According to the Spanish journalists in the “Mourinho wishes to leave Camp” the Portuguese Coach feels the Club is not backing him 100% & that Jorge Valdano has not the “stuff” to convince the Club President: the latter being a barrier & an obstacle instead of a contributor of value.


What is obvious to the "layman" - myself included - is that there is a clear power struggle & that two “continental plates” are moving to find their places & are causing tremendous “tremors & quakes” within the Club. I doubt that Mourinho really desires to leave the Club at the end of the season & has thrown a “threat” to win over the social – fans base against Valdano to put on more pressure. I will not be surprised if on the weekend certain sectors of the crowd at “Santiago Bernabeu” start shouting “anti-Valdano” chants & lifting opposition signs.


Real Madrid knew before signing José Mourinho what he was all about & knew the dangers inherent in his hiring as Coach. The Clubs needs to win titles at all costs & quickly - away from FC Barcelona - was the trade-off as Real Madrid "sold their soul" to the “Devil”. But what has not been said too much is that the FC BARECLONA 5 – 0 demolition of REAL MADRID in November 2010 has shook the foundations at the Madrid Club & has affected the “Real Madrid psyche” with doubts & with future uncertainty that has infected every level from the "Top Offices", Staff, Coach & the players.


What solutions are there? I see two:
1. Positive results & victories that will lead to some title this year. If the results are bad & no titles come, we will witness an “explosion” at the Club.
2. That Mourinho will take his “poker threat” to the limit & actually leave the Club at the end of the season …if Valdano does not depart earlier.

But this is pure speculation as there is "centuries" between now & the end of the season & things may well be solved positively.


Stay tuned as things are going to get exciting in coming weeks & months. Tonight we have the first test with the 2º leg of the Spanish Cup Quarter-Final against Atletico de Madrid. Real Madrid is expected to capitalise on its 3 – 1 1ºst leg advantage, but if Atletico win & knock out Real Madrid ? Tweet

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EL CLASICO 2010 - REAL MADRID 0 FC BARCELONA 2 | THE CONCLUSIONS

Source: Sp Football Sports Blog /
The much awaited match against REAL MADRID - FC BARCELONA is over with the latter winning 0-2 & possibly deciding the final fate of this seasons Spanish League Title. FC Barcelona regain the Top spot of the classification table with a 3 point advantage that looks difficult to be overtaken with 7 games left in La Liga. But it is not all over for Real Madrid as yet, Barça is still in Champions League & the concentration & effort in this competition may affect Barça in the local competiton, however unlikely it may appear at this moment.

Allow me to put forward 4 conclusions that have come out of yesterdays match & that we should reflect on without the passion of a fan, but coldly with the observed facts.

Yesterday left no doubt that FC BARCELONA is the better team over REAL MADRID this season. Not only has Barça won Madrid twice this season, but has a 4 straight game streak over the arch rival. The "Balance of Power" shifted a couple of years back & Barcelona remain the Top Club in Spanish Football & the "reigning" Best Team in The World

The MESSI vs CRISTIANO RONALDO debate has been settled. LIONEL MESSI is today the Best Player in The World. Yesterday both were on the same pitch, under the same circumstances & conditions & we witnessed "live on air" how Messi solved things & Ronaldo was not up to the occasion.

The FC Barcelona style of game is far superior to the game practiced by Real Madrid. What is obviously clear is that Real Madrid without wingers & insisting to play through the center is predictable & very difficult. Added to this, there exists a clear lack of ideas in midfield & a the non-existence of real play makers.

Higuain again gave arguements to his detractors, that in the BIG games he disappears. Marcelo is not up to the levels required, that there is a real hole in the left hand side defence & that the double "defensive" midfield set up is not working. In fact, the main conclusion here is that Barcelona look a team while Real Madrid looks a collective of individual players.

Real Madrid Coach Manuel Pellegrini showed lack of ideas & seems to lack spirit in the reaction department. The man has failed in all the crucial & important moments this season for Real Madrid. The elimination in the Spanish Cup against 2ºB Division team Alcorcon, the elimination in the Champions League against Olympique de Lyon & the second loss this season against FC Barcelona. The line-ups have dewilded, the inactive attitude surprised, the match substitutes frightened & a persistent conservative streak all season that sends a message to opponents that Real Madrid is not as BIG as first expected; opponents lose respect for Real Madrid. Said in other terms, Manual Pellegrini is not up to the job, & his future at Real Madrid is seriously in doubt for next season.

The model of buying the Best Players in The World does not guarantee winning titles. Real Madrid invested a record 275M€ in signing players, & to this date looks like not winning any titles (Liga still up for grabs) with the objective of overtaking FC Barcelona a failure.

The signing strategy has failed. Look at those absent last night: Kaká, Benzema, Granero..., plus remember thoses sold: Robben, Sneijder... Here General Director Jorge Valdano must take some responsibility, it is he who has the final word on buying & selling players, plus who is the teams Coach.

The facts show that the "Real Madrid Florentino Project" has not worked this season & is not complete. Many critics have already, & will go much further, to conclude that the 2009-2010 Real Madrid project has been a "complete failure". Less pre-season fireworks & fanfare & more Football. Tweet

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REAL MADRID: PLAYING LIKE THIS WILL NOT WIN THEM THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

"Nos llevamos un mal resultado y una mala impresión del
equipo"
“We take back a bad result & a very poor impression
of the team”
(Jorge Valdano Real Madrid Director General)

If yesterday was an indicator, REAL MADRID WILL NOT win this years
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, the prime objective seeing that the Final will
be played on their home ground; the mythical “Santiago Bernabeu
Stadium". The European Cup (now Champions League) is an obsession
for Real Madrid who has won 9 titles & has over the years fallen in
love with it to claim the tournament as their own. The Clubs global
strategy, both institutional & economical, has the European title as
the cornerstone & thus invests “astronomical” sums of money to
acquire the “Best players in the World” for such endeavour. This
year is extremely awkward as there exist certain “paranoia” at Real
about the hypothetical possibility of “arch-rival” FC Barcelona
winning their 4th Champions League on Madrid turf; a humiliating
experience that Real wishes to avoid for the record books. Last
nights Champions League Quarter- Final 1º leg match against Olympique
Lyon highlighted the continual team deficits & aroused once again
serious doubts on this seasons 300M€ project .

(photo: Real Madrid players after the Lyon goal_as.com)

There are many areas were one can begin to analyse in order to
attempt to come up with some logical responses, SFS will
concentrate on these mere observations:

1. Real Madrid has lost respect. The opponents quickly see that the
play does not respond to the image & reputation. Many teams begin
with a defensive & conservative line-up to transform themselves
into attacking & adventurous sides once they observe that Real is
not as dangerous as initially believed.
2. Real Madrid suffers from over confidence which causes them to
jump onto the field with a certain relaxation that is dangerous.
Yesterday, Real Madrid had already won the Lyon match in their
heads before it had started. The 0-3 victory the Saturday before
against last placed “Liga” side Xerez is not comparable against a
European Team in Champions League.
3. An apparent lack of understanding of what the Real Madrid
institution & history stands for & what it means to millions of
followers. The team can lose, but at least go down “dying”, giving
all your heart & soul. Perhaps so many new faces have yet to learn
for whom & where they are in reality actually playing. Where
is the professional & personal pride?
4. Surreal & difficult to understand Coaching decisions. Yesterday
Coach Pellegrini decided to put in the starting line-up Mahamadou
Diarra over Lass Diarra. The former has not played a full game in
a full year plus is a defensive midfielder when Lyon had already
shown their cards that their initial intention was to defend & not
attack. But there is more, indecision with Ramos if central or a
lateral defender, Arbeloa if right or left, Marcelo, Higuain or
Benzema, where to put Kaká…etc & etc. We are near done this
season & theses tactical issues have yet to be resolved.
5. Small team thinking & mentality, not too mention excuses. Sure
last nights pitch was terrible, yes there was a penalty on Ronaldo
in the 2ºhalf, but a Club of Madrid dimensions & history should
never need to resort to these issues, they need to win on the field
with goals & authority, something non-existent yesterday.
6. It was the perfect night for Captain Raul to have come on in the
2º half to pull his team forward, show his character & lead by
example. Instead Coach Pellegrini puts on Benzema who has just
come out of an injury & had his head more in smiling to his ex-team
mates, the crowd & camaras.
7. There is a serious dependence on Cristiano Ronaldo, the man is
good but alone he cannot win a game. The big signings have not
reached the level that most expect. Here there are mental &
physical limits that have not been worked & need to be taken care
of in the coming weeks.

(photo: Coach Pellegrini)

We could go on further, we can see that things are not going correctly
& hasn’t for sometime, which leads one to believe that Real Madrid
will not win this years Champions League if they continue this path.
Coach Pellegrini illustrates by his actions that he is not the man for this
ambitious project & will most likely find himself without work next
season if Real does not win the Champions &/or “La Liga”.

Allow SFS to finish with an optimistic tone & put faith in the idea
that Real Madrid (in the name of Spanish Football) , its Directives,
its players & coaching staff will reflect on last nights Lyon 1-0 loss &
poor performance to solve the errors with these thoughts:

(a)That everyone at Real Madrid prepare themselves correctly for
what will be the most important game of the season to date for the
Club & turn around this Quarter-Final with a convincing victory that
will send a message throughout Europe that Real Madrid is serious in
its aim for the title.
(b)To win back respect, pride & achieve a victory that causes a
tremor in the minds of opponents who themselves will be forced
back into fear & on the defensive.
(c)To finally find the stage for the “stars” to shine & show their
true worth with play, coordination & victories.

SFS is confident this will happen & that the 2º leg Quarter Final
against Lyon at the “Santiago Bernabeu” will be a different story.
If not, the earthquake will send tremors throughout Europe that
will cause many building to fall into rumble, the first being Coach
Pellegrini, & perhaps Club Director General Jorge Valdano, who
hired Pellegrini in the first place. Tweet

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REAL MADRID: FLORENTINO PEREZ PRESENTS HIS TEAM & AGREEMENT FOR PELLEGRINI AS NEXT COACH

New REAL MADRID President Florentino Perez presented his team
to media in this afternoon “swearing in” session to begin another
chapter in the Clubs history. To summarize the important areas to
note, here are some names:

President of Honour – Alfredo Di Stefano
Director General ( Presidents right hand man) – Jorge Valdano
Sports Director – Miguel Pardeza
Institutional Ambassador ( for Fifa & Uefa) – Emilio Butrageño
President Counsellor & International Ambassador – Zinedine Zidane
Junior Teams – Paco Buyo

(Manuel Pellegrini - photo marca.com)

According to all local media sources – “As & Marca”, for example –
the next new Coach of REAL MADRID will be Villareal Coach MANUEL
PELLEGRINI, as independently also confirmed by José Manuel Llaneza
a Villareal directive. Both Real Madrid & Villareal have come to an
agreement this afternoon to shut the deal which includes a 2 year
contract for Pellegrini & a 4M€ release clause payment by Real
Madrid to Villareal . It is commented that Pellegrini maybe be
officially presented to media as the new Coach as early as tomorrow
at the hands of Jorge Valdano. This way Jorge Valdano gets his way
as he has always seen the Villareal Coach as the right man for the
job, ahead of the much talked about Arsene Wenger & Carlo
Ancelotti

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REAL MADRID: FLORENTINO PEREZ PRESIDENT

The man won before he started.

Florentino Perez is the new President of REAL MADRID, & without
the need to celebrate elections down for the 14th of June. Why?
There was only one candidate left in the race & that was Mr.Perez
as the other “wanna be´s” retired their candidacy. Today at 13.00
hrs the new President will present himself with his management
team to the media & commence the announced “revolution”

So the “messiah” is back, with promises of great player names & to
bring back Real Madrid to its “natural” position; to be again “The Best
Team in the World”. It promises to be a very busy few months ahead.

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REAL MADRID & INTER MILAN DEFENDER MAICON TALKING

Everyone says & speculates that AC MILAN player KAKA is very close,
along with BAYERN MUNICH French International FRANCK RIBERY &
XABI ALONSO of LIVERPOOL FC in the new REAL MADRID set up for
next season. Presidential candidate Florentino Perez & his team are
working hard to shut things & another name has emerged to capture
the Sporting papers lead titles.

It was rumoured while back, & now it gains strength, INTER MILAN
Brazilian defender MAICON is said to be on the REAL MADRID list
& negotiations are on the way. This is what Italian media are saying
& has been picked up here locally by “speculative” Sporting paper
“AS” adding the operation is around 25M€. However, there is
competition for the services of the 27 year old Brazilian International;
English Club CHELSEA FC is also active & offering delights.

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REAL MADRID 2009 TRANSFER GOSSIP & RUMOURS: VAN NISTELROOY, RIBERY & SNEIJDER

Let’s kill a couple of birds with one stone (or better said with a
single post). A few interesting news pieces have appear this
afternoon on the Spanish sporting press digital editions ,
especially “AS” & "Marca", all making reference to REAL MADRID.

Firstly, according to Turkish sources, concretely Turkish media
Milliyet, a GALATASARAY official Haldun Ustunel flew to Holland
to come to an agreement with REAL MADRID forward VAN
NISTELROOY for next season. This may have some truth if the
Dutch forward senses that he does not enter into the plans of Real
Madrid Presidential candidate - & expected winner – Florentino
Perez. Until now it is pure speculation.

Ex Real Madrid player ZINEDINE ZIDANE has publicly acknowledged
that he will have a decisive executive role in the Florentino Perez
team, if the latter wins next months Presidential elections. This is
old news, the interesting comment came latter when he insinuated
– quiet directly- to Europe 1 media that if he had to make a choice
he would choose FRANCK RIBERY over CRISTIANO RONALDO

Speaking of Ribery, local media “Marca” & German paper “TZ” have
assured that BAYERN MUNICH would look favourably at transferring
its French International to REAL MADRID if WESLEY SNEIJDER
entered into the operation – plus some cash obviously. INTER MILAN
has also enquired about the Dutch midfielder, BUT Sneijder has
recently said that he wishes to make a success of his Real Madrid
adventure.

Remember, all theses stories are currently rumour & speculations.

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REAL MADRID : 80M€ IS THE PRICE FOR KAKA

The Italian daily “El Corriere dello Sport” – picked up locally by
“Marca” & “AS”- insists that AC MILAN Brazilian star KAKA will be
in REAL MADRID next season if two conditions are met:
1. That Florentino Perez wins next months Presidential Club
elections – this is assured.
2. That Real Madrid pay AC Milan 80M€ in transfer fee.

(photo: Marca)

Those 80M€ will go towards closing the more than 66M€ financial
"hole" that AC Milan informed in its 2008 Balance Sheet & to buy
Arsenal forward Emmauel Adebayor.

Having said all this, the Italian Club, Kaka & his representative – father
have denied contacts & affirm that neither has intention of changing.
Thus the message is somewhat confusing & creates doubts. But some

journalists have reminded us that the departure of the Brazilian star
would not be welcomed by Milan fans who have exhibited violent &
threatening behaviour towards Kaka in his last flirt with Manchester
City. This may explain why Club & player are sending confused signals
to Spain & comforting signs to local tiffosi to create a "smoke-screen".

Stay tuned!

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JOSE MOURINHO AN OPTION FOR REAL MADRID AFTER WENGER SAYS NO

REAL MADRID ex – President, & now again candidate for next
months Presidential Club elections, FLORENTINO PEREZ is
expected to win by a historical landslide & thus we can speak of
him & his plans for Real as one. A vital piece in the future plans
of the Club is WHO will be the new Coach next season & here
Mr.Perez has been negotiating with ARSENE WENGER the desired
man & thought off as ideal. However, Arsene Wenger has
manifested publicly to English media that he will honour is current
contract & stay at ARSENAL for next season after receiving
guarantees from the “Gunners”, thus auto-cancelling himself
from the Real Madrid job.

Although this is a blow for the plans of Mr.Perez, the latter hasn’t
given in & will continue attempting to convince Wenger although it
is a virtual lost case. As is expected there is now a substitute name
& Mr.Perez has already began contacts to see if INTER MILAN Coach
JOSE MOURINHO would like to take up the REAL MADRID bench
next season. The Portugues Coach has already said that his dream is
to win the “Grand Slam” – English, Italian & Spanish League titles
- & this has been taken as a signal that he is willing to travel to
Spain. Plus media sources have been publishing throughout the last

months that Mourinho has maintained informal contacts with
Florentino Perez & has been offering his services as his “real”
wish is to Coach Real Madrid.

The Italian press Gazzetta dello Sport & Tuttosport have informed
that Jose Mourinho has already received a firm offer from Mr.Perez
after meetings between his representatives & the Inter Coach, thus
Mourinho has now become the best placed man for the job at this
moment according all the indications from specialist media.

Other names & options have either cancelled themselves like Carlo
Ancellotti who has signed a pre-contract with Chelsea FC while

others have appeared as other possibilities such as Michael Laudrup

& Manuel Pellegrini. Lastly, in the case that everything fails & none
of the mentioned names become a reality, current Coach Juande
Ramos would be the choice, although not the desired by Mr.Perez.

NEWS FLASH: Mourinho has told Italian press he is 99.9% sure of
staying at Inter!

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REAL MADRID: FRANCK RIBERY MAKES CRISTIANO RONALDO NERVOUS?

On today’s front page of the Spanish sports daily “Marca” the title
reads “Ribery Makes Cristiano Ronaldo Nervous”. Without
reading the article – as it’s not available on their site as yet - &
thinking about it, if I was Cristiano Ronaldo I would be very uneasy
as well. Let’s recap the history & how things are going with this
drawn-out saga.

The month’s long media stories are that CRISTIANO RONALDO signed
a pre-contract with REAL MADRID for next season after the
Portuguese player received the promise from his Coach Ferguson to
stay one more season at MANCHESTER UNITED. The transfer fee was
placed around 100M€ & it was signed when ex- Real Madrid President
Ramon Calderon still held the “wheel” at the Spanish Club.

Today at Real Madrid, Calderon is gone, there will be Presidential
elections next month & ex-President/Candidate Florentino Perez
will win via a landslide result. His team of Directives include Jorge
Valdano & Zinedine Zidane, the latter along with Valdano
recommending BAYERN MUNICH winger FRANCK RIBERY. So much so,
that talks have advanced at such a pace that Ribery is willing to
sign with Real Madrid & what’s left now is to come to an agreement
with the German Club. Bayern asks for 50M€ while Florentino wishes
only to pay around 40M€, everyone expects that positions will meet
satisfactorily half way soon.

Up to here everything is understood. The eye opener is that
Franck Ribery plays in the same position as Cristiano Ronaldo &
costs way less. Florentino Perez is not in agreement with the 100M€
price tag negotiated for Cristiano Ronaldo & desires to lower it
to around 70M€ or less, plus Perez does not like Ronaldo´s
“superstar” attitude thus doesn’t see the Manchester player as vital
for his new Real Madrid. It is speculated that AC MILAN star KAKA is
virtually shut for the midfield & that there is an agreement for
DAVID VILLA in the goal scoring area; NOW he has the OK from
Ribery for the winger position.

Real Madrid under Florentino Perez has NOW all the cards & the
negotiating powers to lower the Cristiano Ronaldo 100M€ transfer
fee. The player loses & Manchester United loses as the latter
needs money to finance its debts. With Franck Ribery as the
alternative for Ronaldo - & many consider the Frenchmen better
& more of a team player – the question is simple: lower your
economic pretensions & we will talk again, stay firm & you can
stay at Manchester United. It’s a grand tactic for Florentino
Perez, as Real Madrid, Mr. Perez, you & SFS know that it is
possible for Ronaldo & Ribery to play together in the same team
with each on a wing, but Perez wishes to see the determination
of Ronaldo to come to Real Madrid & he is right; Ronaldo has now
become an OPTION & is no longer VITAL.

This change in status is what would make me nervous. This should
make Cristiano Ronaldo very nervous if it is true that his dream is to
play at Real Madrid

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ARSENE WENGER STILL A POSSIBILITY FOR FLORENTINO PEREZ?

He said NO to Real Madrid in 2003 & 2006.

The speculative Spanish sporting daily “AS” publish that the
possibility of ARSENAL Manager ARSENE WEGNER changing teams
for REAL MADRID is still a viable option. According to “AS” Real
Madrid Presidential candidate Florentino Perez has not given in
& wishes to have Wenger direct the Spanish Club, & has his man
Jorge Valdano is talking to convince the French Coach. The latest
waves of local English criticism directed by fans & press towards
the Arsenal Coach has opened the possibility & there have been
meetings in Paris between Valdano & his representative Serge
K to build these possibilities. “Close sources” to the daily express
that never before has the prospect of Real Madrid signing Wenger
been so close.

As expected rival Barcelona paper “Mundo Deportivo”, publish
that it is going to be very difficult for Real to gain the services
of Wenger. They base their arguments on comments made by the
Arsenal Coach recently that he wishes to complete his contract
with the English Club.

Meanwhile, “AS” publish & continue speculating that according
to their “sources” (they have sources everywhere) AC MILAN
Coach Carlo Ancelotti has not signed a pre-contract with Chelsea
FC, as it has been rumoured. Thus he also remains an option for
Mr. Perez.

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REAL MADRID: FLORENTINO PEREZ IS BACK - SO NOW WHAT?

Todays Spanish Sporting press dedicates a great part of its pages
to the return of ex REAL MADRID President Florentino Perez to
the Spanish Football scene & the impact that will have with
incoming new players to "La Liga" & naturally Real Madrid. The
Real Madrid Presidential candidate, who is expected to win by a
massive landslide, has already hinted that Jorge Valdano will be
his right-hand man along with Zinedine Zidane as the Clubs image
& public relations person. Said this, Florentino Perez gave us his 3
pillar (strategy) for Real Madrid next season: have The Best players
in the World, more Spanish players & open up more for the junior
level players, ie "home grown" Real Madrid players. Therefore, it is
speculated that within a couple of weeks Florentino Perez will
announce more solid details on his "new project" with actual names.
























Until then, Spanish press has taken the words of Florentino Perez
& his 3 pillar strategy to advance some possible names. Up till
now, SFS must acknowledge that the media has´nt been too far
off these last months with their speculations in reference to
Real Madrid, Mr. Perez & Transfers, thus wishes to continue to
give its vote of confidence. With 250M€ commented to be the
budget to be dedicated for new signings here are some names
according to elmundo.com:

Coach: the big unknown...names Wegner, Ancelotti, Mourinho
...with current Coach Juande Ramos still in there if everything
else fails. But, SFS has a feeling we may have a huge surprise
here.










1) Only the Best Players In The World: Cristiano Ronaldo & Kaka
...both are speculated to have been "tied up" already
2) More Spanish Players: David Villa & David Silva (Valencia FC)
plus Xabi Alonso (Liverpool FC)
3) Home Grown Players: recoup Granero (Getafe) & Negredo
(Almeria)

These are priority names

In the backburner, in case one of the mentioned gets complicated
are:
Cesc Fabregas (would come if Wegner accepts Coaching position),
Franck Ribery, Zlatan Ibrahimovic & Maicon

It is more than likely that Florentino Perez- Jorge Valdano will use
the already mentioned Granero &/or Negredo in the David Villa
operation, &/or lower prices of transfers using current Real Madrid
players like Robben, Sneijder, Van Der Vaart, Drenthe...etc & etc.

So there you are Real Madrid fans, interesting weeks & months
ahead. SFS will be keeping an eye on things to let you know the
exact developments as they come along. Tweet

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