At about this time last year, despite being in the midst of a historic championship run, there were many who debated whether then coach Fabio Capello should continue at the helm of Real Madrid. In the end, he was let go and I think the situation worked out for the best for everyone. However this does not change the fact that I think he was unjustly let go. Capello was hired to win a championship, he did just that and was promptly fired.
After the team got knocked out of the Champions League this season, Capello’s replacement, Bernd Schuster, now finds himself under the same scrutiny as his predecessor. Almost immediately following the defeat to Roma, the Spanish media started to call for his head. Now there are talks that ex-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been in contact with the higher ups at Real Madrid. As if Schuster’s problems weren’t big enough, he now has to deal with Mourinho nipping at his heels.
Once again, I find this entire situation to be very unfair to the manager. The performance during and result of that Champions League defeat was unexpected and unacceptable from a team of Madrid’s stature. However, I don’t think it should be the basis for an overhaul in leadership.
To be fair, the team has not looked good for a some time now, and some of that definitely has to be blamed on the manager. Schuster was responsible for that defensive minded “double pivot” formation that paired Fernando Gago and Mamadou Diarra in the 1-2 loss to Roma. If someone watched that game and didn’t know the result of the first leg, it would not be unreasonable to think Madrid was up a goal or two with that formation. Gago and Diarra in the midfield is just unnecessary when the team is down a goal.
It’s important to also remember that Madrid is simply an injury filled squad at the moment. Add to that all the suspensions and now we’re talking about a thoroughly depleted side. Ironically, Madrid were knocked out of the Champions with almost the same starters and tactics as the Capello era.
I think that the people who run the team as well as the fans are too short sighted. They want victories, titles, flash, and goals and they want them now. They need to understand the importance of letting a project grow and breathe. Madrid changed their signing philosophy over this last transfer window, swapping the Galaticos for talented youth in the development stage.
Players like Drenthe, Robben, Marcelo, Pepe and Metzelder need time to develop into the players they are destined to develop into. In order to do this they need to get used to a manager and a system. Constantly changing the game plan might hinder their growth. Simply look at Robinho for proof of this. As soon as Schuster said he was going to become an integral part of the attack, he flourished.
With a victory over the weekend Schuster has bought himself some time, but another defeat and the talks for his dismissal will no doubt reignite. I believe that Schuster should be judged when the side is healthy and completely match fit.
This entire health situation has shone a spotlight on a major problem that both Schuster and the administrative staff at Real Madrid have not addressed; a plan B.
What I mean by that is that when the team is hurt, they are basically caught with their pants down and have no idea what to do. All the great sides in Europe are rich in talent. Teams like Manchester United, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Barcelona can all survive when their starters get hurt or are suspended. This has not the case with Madrid. When starters are hurt the drop in talent is significant. The best example is the right back position, which goes from Sergio Ramos to Michel Salgado. Salgado’s best days are behind him, and he is unfortunately prone to injuries, so he’s far from an ideal backup.
Please don’t misinterpret my position on the managerial issue as pro-Schuster; he has not had enough time with a full squad to state with surety what his managerial merit is. My position is one of sticking with someone and letting him run the team his way for more than a season. Once players are healthy and settled for more than a campaign one can begin to form informed opinions with an appropriate sample size.
It’s obvious that results alone won’t save Schuster from this point on. As a minimum he has to win the league and if he doesn’t do it with the style that Ramon Calderon sees fit, then heaven be with him. Let’s just hope that however the season ends, we as fans can see the healthy and fit starting eleven that we were all were so excited about when the season began.
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6 months ago
I agree with lots you say Luis except that I don't think Robben has much more developing to do and will be no more than a bit part player due to is injury proneness.
6 months ago
a)real madrid were never gona win champions league who cares
b)2 defensive mid-fielders against roma isnt dumb roma are very attacking side (totti,mancini just for a few)
c) madrid do have a plan b, hence all the extra faces in the squad this season the problems a lack of talent period the only fire starters madrid got is robinho & guti but still neither are played them effectively
d) about time you realised madrid lack any actual talent been like that since beckham ruined the squad. why do you think they keep trying to buy all the worlds best but constantly rejected and settle for runners up like robben,heinze etc
e) stop hating schuster he can only do so much with a crap team, mind you i dont like schuster but dont blame him cause the team suck
f) your obviously not a fan and dont know nothing about the club go watch "socccccer" next youll be saying its all rauls fault he isnt playing good ...raul was never good lol
from 6 months ago
Anonymous,
You are the embodiment of everything that is wrong with this website. You hide behind the anonymous title, write anything you want, take no responsibility, and just usually leave hate filled message that are often untrue. If your aim is to make the writer look stupid, you've only succeeded in making yourself sound classless and frankly kind of stupid too.
For example, you said Luis is "...hating schuster..." Did you read the article by chance? Luis is arguing that Schuster needs more time to develop his side, as well as get them healthy. He's not hating Schuster, he is pointing out that some things didn't work, like the double pivot.
Roma are an attacking side, you are absolutely right, they play beautiful football. That doesn't change the fact that Madrid were down a goal, and there was no need for 2 defensive midfielders. Look at the results and prove me wrong.
Also, telling Luis he isn't a fan and doesn't know anything about the club is a comment that just makes no sense, since you don't know Luis and know nothing about him.
And that is this comment about "soccccer?" Sounds like a little anti-American rhetoric. Do you have a problem with Americans liking football? Or just with Americans in general?
Please feel free to reply to my comment board, and attach a name while you're at it. Try making a profile so people can leave hate filled messages on your comment board. And try writing an article while you're at it. Not as easy as it looks, and a lot of time is put into writing it. People like you make me sad at what this world is becoming. If you have a problem with what Luis writes, fine, but at least leave him a way to improve, not just break him down. What are you trying to prove tough guy?
(Are you by chance Alexandre R, a guy who leaves the same type of unhelpful and hate filled posts on my articles?)
Also, do you really want to make the argument that Madrid lack any actual talent? Saying things like that make you lose what little credibility you may have had. Open your eyes, they may not be the best team in the world, but a player like Sergio Ramos would crack basically any starting 11 on planet earth. You don't think another team would want Ruud Van Nistelrooy, or Robinho, or or take a chance on Royston Drenthe's promise, or Marcelo's?
6 months ago
Great article. I like to see others paying attention to los blancos. I agree with giving a manager time to really implement his system and that takes at least a year. But at the same time this is a squad that should compete for the champions league and also the kings cup.
One thing I will disagree with is Madrid's focus on young talent. They are not focused on developing players like they should. Robinho, Sergio Ramos are true talents and are true young studs. But beyond that your point about Salgado coming off the bench is a perfect example of Real's need for more spirited young players to come in and invigorate this squad.
Great article and great points. Good work. Thanks.
6 months ago
I love Real madrid and that is my team. No matter what happens i have no where to go i will stay and support my team because this is not the end. However, i have some concern about the president and the sports director. The big guns who seat on the big chairs of the club, need to know that, not every coach on this planet can coach real madrid. When Mr Capello was fired, they mad the same mistake as they did when they hired Capello in 2006/2007. I remember Schuter was a good coach from his club (Gatafe) this is because that is his class. When capello was fired, there where a number of coach that would have replaced him, the like of Asen Wenger, Jose, Del bosque, to mention but a few, all these coaches have managed big clubs before and they would also manage madrid in the same way.
Another problem is with the Big people at madrid. I remeber very well, that Mr capello, told the board of directors to sign pato from brazile and they did not like that. But remember a club without talented young players it is dead. Now you just look at pato playing for AC milan and you realize that madrid missed a player with all the talent that is need at madrid. Unless the sports director and the president, listen to the request of the coach, madrid will still go through search problems, but i know they are not parmanet.
Godfrey - Ddungu
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