LA LIGA & REAL MADRID

[fingolfin]

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..if i were the club's president. i will get Reyes for the strikers position. Joaquin and Xavi Alonso for mid-field. i just hope that Martin is not as fickle minded as Perez. That Martin will be a "sports-president" not a "corporate" one.

[raul julia]

MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid's Denmark international Thomas Gravesen said his club still believe they can catch Barcelona in the league title race and denied reports he was set to join English Premiership side Manchester City.
"It's very difficult but there are 11 games left," Gravesen told a news conference on Wednesday. "We are working to become champions," he insisted, as Real chase down a nine-point deficit.
Asked about reports in Denmark linking him with a move to City, just 14 months on from his arrival from fellow English Premiership team Everton, Gravesen said the talk was news to him.
"In football there are many rumours but I've said nothing. There are no contacts with Manchester City".
Gravesen, who cost Real some 3.5 million euros, was identified as the hard man in midfield the club needed since selling Claude Makalele to Chelsea in 2003, since when the club have won nothing.

[raul julia]

MADRID, March 18 (Reuters) - Brazil defender Roberto Carlos said he hoped to end his playing career with Real Madrid, amidst speculation that he was considering his future.
"When I arrived in 1996 I did so with my head held high and I want to leave in the same way," Roberto Carlos told a news conference on Saturday.
"I want to end my playing career here. I have a plan for my family in Madrid and despite what the press say I want to continue living here.
"I have one year left on my contract and don't want to leave without winning more titles."
The 32-year-old Brazil international is being touted in the Spanish press as one of the players likely to be discarded in new president Fernando Martin's restructuring of the club.
Two weeks ago he was critical of Martin's assertions that some of Real's players lacked commitment and were spoilt, adding fuel to the speculation.
Roberto Carlos added: "People at the club say they still have confidence in me. I don't want to leave for money and could stay here for a long time yet.
"I have had good offers, which are flattering, but I want to end my playing career at Real Madrid and later to return to Brazil."
The defender has won three European Cups and three Primera Liga titles with Real.

[raul julia]

MILAN, Italy (AFP) - AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has snubbed the chance to join Spanish giants Real Madrid by extending his contract with the Italian side.
Ancelotti, whose contract had been due to expire in June 2007, extended until June 30, 2008 with an option for an additional season.
The 46-year-old admitted he had been interested in the Spanish job which will be vacated by Juan Ramon Lopez Caro at the end of the season, but decided to stick with AC Milan, now second in Serie A, 10 points behind Juventus.
Ancelotti said: "It's true I was really tempted to go to Madrid but I finally decided to extend my stay in Milan and I think I've made the right choice. I'm happy to stay here."

[fingolfin]

..... who will manage madrid next season?? i have this feeling that Ronaldo will go to the EPL

[K|D]

Murinho? Is it true he's not happy with Chelsea or the EPL? About time Ronaldo should be traded

[fingolfin]

4 - 0 win over Deportivo La Caruna. An own goal by hector, goals from Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Baptista. I want Caro to stay as manager. He is so humble, a manager who hasnt won anything in top flight football and yet earned the respect of the Galacticos. Under his rule, Madrid only lost 3 times. Zaragoza ( kings cup semis, 1st leg ), i forgot the one in la liga, and Arsenal in the ECC. He is what Madrid needs, they dont need well-accomplished managers in the helm. But rumours have it that Del Bosque is coming back. Yummy. But still, i want Caro to stay.

[raul julia]

at La Liga they lost away to Mallorca 2-1......same here though, i like the way Caro handles the team and hopes he would be given the reign next season.....but..

MADRID, March 27 (Reuters) - Real Madrid president Fernando Martin has targeted seven high-profile coaches as potential candidates to take over at the Primera Liga club next season.
"We are clear about the type of coach we want," Martin told Spanish television station Antena 3 on Monday.
"We want one of the coaches that you all know we want. (Jose) Mourinho, (Fabio) Capello, (Rafa) Benitez, (Arsene) Wenger, (Carlo) Ancelotti, (Marcelo) Lippi and (Sven-Goran) Eriksson."
He went on to add that if any of the above were selected, Real would speak to the coach's club first.
Martin has made it clear that he is looking for a replacement for Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, who he believes lacks experience at the highest level after being promoted from B team coach to replace Vanderlei Luxemburgo in December.
Arsenal's Wenger, Liverpool's Benitez and Capello of Juventus have all distanced themselves from the Real job in recent weeks.
Mourinho has always expressed his desire to continue at Chelsea, while it is well-known that Eriksson is leaving the England job after the World Cup finals in July.
It is the first time Italy coach Lippi's name has been linked with the position.
Spanish media continue to tout AC Milan coach Ancelotti as favourite to take over at the Bernabeu in July, despite his having signed a contract extension until 2008 with the Italian club last week.
"I have decided to stay with Milan, who have always been my team. They are my first choice," Ancelotti was quoted as saying in sports daily Marca on Monday.
"The decision is definitive but anything can happen in football."
Earlier in the day Real had made it clear that there was no deal in place with a new coach, going back on Martin's assertions a week ago that he had chosen a successor to Lopez Caro.
In an official statement, the club said: "Contrary to what has been reported in the Spanish and European media the club has made no decision on who will be the club's coach next season. The club has no agreement or contract with any coach."
Last week Martin, who replaced Florentino Perez in February, was interviewed by Spanish daily El Mundo where he said: "I know who will be the new coach and I'm not going to name any names."

[raul julia]

LONDON (AFP) - David Beckham believes England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is the "obvious choice" to take over at Real Madrid after this summer's World Cup.
The Swede is one of seven potential Real managers named on a shortlist by Bernabeu president Fernando Martin and, according to one leading British bookmaker, is 2/1 favourite to get the job.
Eriksson, who will leave the England job after this summer's World Cup, is the hot favourite on a list which also includes Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal), Rafael Benitez (Liverpool), Fabio Capello (Juventus), Carlos Ancelotti (AC Milan) and Marcelo Lippi (Italy).
However the first five coaches in that list have stated their commitment to their respective clubs.
If Eriksson wants a character reference to put before the Real board, he need look no further than Beckham to provide one.
The 30-year-old Madrid midfielder said: "Sven is one of the best managers around and his name was bound to come into the equation. I think he would work well.
"I don't know who it will be as it's not my decision. Sven is the obvious one because he will be out of a job. He will be free and available so we will see.
"I don't think he would have a problem with any place he went to. I think he is an experienced manager and can handle it.
"He has been the English manager for five years and has handled the pressures there so I'm sure he can handle it wherever he manages.
"One of his biggest qualities is his man-management - the way he treats the players and what he gets out of the players. He gives the players a lot of respect."

[K|D]

Arsenal 2-0 vs Juve at Highbury 1st leg of ECC!!! They might make it all the way!!!