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Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane says he was not ready to replace Carlo Ancelotti as manager and it never entered his mind.

The Frenchman, who worked as an assistant to the Italian in Ancelotti’s first year in charge of Los Blancos, took over as boss at Real Madrid Castilla last season. It was the next move in his managerial development that many believe will end up with him taking the reigns at the Santiago Bernabeu at some stage.

When Ancelotti was fired a few weeks ago for failing to win La Liga or the Champions League, many pundits though Zidane would be a major contender to step up and take over the first team role.

But Rafa Benitez was hired from Napoli, with his track record in Europe proving key as Los Blancos look to wrestle back the major trophies from Barcelona next season.

Speaking to RTL, Zidane admitted he would like to be Real Madrid manager one day, but now is too soon.

“Zidane, Real Madrid coach. It sounds nice. Taking over from Ancelotti, that was never a question. I wanted to continue with the Castilla because I am not quite ready.

“A coach is never truly ready. If we wait until all the lights are green, we will never get there. But I am calm, I will do things my own way, and it will take the time it takes,” he commented.

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Sergio Ramos

Manchester United are very interested in signing Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, British tabloid the Daily Star has claimed.

The Spanish centre-back is having trouble in reaching a deal with Los Blancos to extend his contract, and many European giants are hoping negotiations don’t come to a good end.

Louis Van Gaal has reportedly shown a strong interest in bringing the 29-year-old to Manchester, as he’s focused in improving his side’s defence, which is the weakest point of the team.

Ramos is arguably the best centre-back in the world and his arrival would surely motivate the fans and give the team the boost they need to become a real contender for the Premier League title.

The Andalusian is very happy at Madrid, where his first child has been born, and is not planning to leave. However, should Real not offer him what he wants, he might consider leaving. Yet, Ramos would reportedly request a 14-million-euro salary to anyone interested in signing him, and United would have difficulties in reaching that amount.

Nevertheless, Van Gaal seems ready to bid higher than Real and make Ramos an important offer. Will is be enough to convince the Spanish international to leave his home country?

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Former Real Madrid player and Los Blancos target Alvaro Morata has claimed he wants to stay at Juventus, despite rumours he might return to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

The Spanish striker is in Belarus with the Spanish national team for a European Championship qualifying game. Asked at a press conference about his future, Morata made his preferences clear.

“I’m happy at Juventus. I still have to prove I can give them more than they have given me. I’m really fine, I want to keep working there and also playing for the national team. That’s what I would like the most,” he confessed.

Morata helped Juve conquer the Serie A and the Italian Coppa, and also reach the final of the Champions League. The 22-year-old made 45 appearances for the Vecchia Signora this season, scoring 15 goals.

“This has been a great year. I owe my club having made an important bid for me without having real motives to do it,” Morata admitted.

“It was a difficult change for me, because it was a new team, but I have been fine. I think it can still get better and I can close the season winning against Belarus. I’m happy to be here with Spain, and this is thanks to my club, because if I hadn’t made that decision [leaving Real Madrid] it’s highly unlikely that I would be here,” the Spanish forward concluded.

Morata left Real Madrid last summer after six years playing for Los Blancos youth teams. Should Florentino Perez want to bring him back, he would have to pay a 30-million-euro buy-back clause.

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La Liga outfit Valencia have made an inquiry about taking Real Madrid goalkeeper on loan next season.

AS says the Mestalla outfit are keen to take a top class goalkeeper on a temporary deal to cover for Diego Alves, who will miss around half of next season with a serious knee injury.

The former Levante keeper joined Los Blancos last summer but has had to settle for a place on the bench behind Iker Casillas. With reports the 10-time winners are close to signing David de Gea from Manchester United, Navas may look at the opportunity to play some regular first team football.

Valencia could face competition for the Costa Rican number one, who starred at the World Cup last summer as the minnows reached the quarter finals of the tournament. Premier League side Liverpool are known to be long term admirers and are thought to be preparing a 15 million euro bid to take him to Anfield.

Navas’ future won’t be certain for a few weeks though as there is also some doubt about Casillas’ own future at the Santiago Bernabeu. If de Gea is signed, the 34-year-old will likely leave the club meaning Navas would probably stay and cover for the former Atletico de Madrid man.

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Former Liverpool defender Jamier Carragher has said that Real Madrid have the best man possible to lead the club back on the trophy trail.

The ex-defender, who played for Benitez at Anfield, will take to the field at the Santiago Bernabeu today as Los Blancos legends take on Liverpool legends in the Corazon Classic Match.

Speaking ahead of the game, the ex-England international had his say on Real’s new manager, saying there is huge pressure on him to win trophies immediately after Barcelona won the treble.

Talking to AS, he commented: “He’s had success at every club he’s been at. At Napoli he won the Supercopa and the Italian Cup, at Liverpool, the Champions League. I think he even won a couple of trophies at Inter. Benitez will always win trophies. At Real Madrid there is always pressure to win, and he’s coming in just at Barcelona win the treble so Madrid will need to respond. But he always wins trophies…”

Carragher was then asked about his memories of playing at the Santiago Bernabeu, and said Liverpool’s victory there in the Champions League was a great moment for the club.

“That was a long time ago now. We were lucky and won 1-0 there and 4-0 at Anfield. Real have 10 Champion Leagues while Liverpool ‘only’ have five, but that was our turn.”

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New Real Madrid right back Danilo has been ruled out of the Copa America with a knee injury but will be fit for pre-season training.

The defender, who arrives at the Santiago Bernabeu from Porto, picked up the injury in a collision with Mexico’s Güemez. Having been assessed by the doctors, it was found the injury was serious enough to keep out out of the rest of the tournament.

Danilo is expected to be out of action for three weeks but will be fit in time to begin pre-season training with his new club.

Writing on his Instagram social media page, the 22-year-old said he was upset about the injury and wished his team mates luck for the rest of the tournament.

He wrote: “Unfortunately, there is no time for me to be 100% fit. It was a dream of mine to win this tournament but these things happen in football. I wish all my team mates the best of luck and from Sunday my concentration will be fully on recovering as soon as possible.”

Danilo’s injury means that two Real Madrid and Brazil defenders have now been ruled out of the tournament after Marcelo failed to recover from his injury in time to take his place in the squad prior to it starting.

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Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez wants to build his team around Gareth Bale next season and will introduce a 4-2-3-1 formation to allow him to thrive in his favoured left wing position, according to AS.

The Madrid-based daily said the new manager was hugely impressed by Bale’s display for Wales on Friday night in Cardiff and is convinced the 25-year-old should be played in his favoured role to revive his Santiago Bernabeu career.

Bale suffered a tough second season in Spain and was roundly criticised by fans and the media alike for some under par performances. But playing for his national team on Friday, he gave everyone a reminder of what he can do by netting the winner over Belgium, sending Wales to the brink of qualification for next summer’s European Championships.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Bale said he and his team mates were pleased with the result but know there is still a long way to go.

“We know what position we’re in but we’re going to enjoy this evening. We know there is still a long way to go,” he told Sky Sports.

“For us, we can enjoy now but when the next camp comes around we’ll be straight back on the floor, working hard back on the training field and ready to do the business.:

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Real Madrid are interested in signing Monaco midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia but face stiff competition for the player’s signature according to the reports.

Los Blancos are on the look out for a tough tackling central man following the departure of Sami Khedira to Juventus and have identified the Frenchman as the ideal replacement, Madrid-based daily AS says.

The 21-year-old has impressed many this season and his was particularly notable in the Champions League, scoring against Arsenal in the last-16 as the Ligue 1 side knocked the Gunners out. The FA Cup winners are thought to be keen on the star too, along with Premier League side Manchester United, who want to bolster their squad after returning to the Champions League having missed out last season.

Reports suggest interested parties will need to stump up around 35 million euros for Kondogbia, who is looking to cement his place in the France starting eleven ahead of the European Championships in his home country next summer.

Along with Kondogbia, new Merengues boss Rafa Benitez is said to be looking at a number of world class players to fill the void left by Khedira’s absence, with Juventus and Chile man Arturo Vidal also believed to be on Real’s shortlist.

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Juventus center-back Leonardo Bonucci could sign for Real Madrid this summer according to Italian website Tuttomercatoweb. The Italian digital newspaper has claimed Rafa Benitez will meet next week with the player’s agent hoping to reach an agreement and bring the 28-year-old to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Champions League runners-up want to extend Bonucci’s contract and the footballer was willing to do it, but an offer from Los Blancos could make him change his mind.

The defender has had a terrific season at Juve, helping his side win the Italian Serie A and the Coppa and reaching the final of the Champions League. Several European clubs have shown an interest in signing him.

For Bonucci to arrive to Madrid one of the four center-backs would have to leave. Florentino Perez will not let Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Pepe go, so that would mean Nacho Fernandez could be forced to go.

However, at 28 years old, Bonucci is not the kind of player Perez likes to invest his money on, and if Benitez wants him he will have to do a great job in convincing the Los Merengues president. Bonucci has played 52 games for Juve this season, scoring four goals in all competitions.

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The brother and agent of Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos says the defender feels bad for Iker Casillas and the treatment he has been receiving at the club.

The World Cup winner has been under fire from the media and fans at the Santiago Bernabeu for some under par performances. He has been jeered constantly by some sections of the support while many Madridistas have called for Costa Rica international Keylor Navas to be given a chance in the first team.

Speculation surrounds the keeper now with rumours of David de Gea’s arrival from Manchester United. Reports have suggested Casillas will leave this summer, with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool suggested as possible destinations.

Speaking to the media, Rene Ramos said Sergio feels bad for Casillas adding that he doesn’t deserve the abuse he has been getting.

“He doesn’t agree with the booing. It’s not nice, and I know, as a teammate of Iker’s, that he feels for him,” he commented.

The agent added that talks have yet to take place about a new contract for the defender but that he has no intention of leaving the Santiago Bernabeu. Ramos became part of the Real Madrid folklore bu scoring in the last minute of the Champions League final last season.

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