I have always thought that one (of the many) reasons that I did not become a footballer was because I am too intelligent. In fact, as has often been the case, with some notable exceptions (Jorge Valdano, Socrates, Ruud Gullit....), intelligent footballers seems to be more the exception that the rule, and at a time when the media scrutiny is so intense, the demand on a bit of brains in footballers

There is a real possibility that we will see Jose Mourinho pacing the touchline in the Premier League next season.

Despite being 7 points clear at the top of La Liga, and into the Champions League knockout stages, Mourinho is growing tired of the snipping in Madrid and said on Tuesday that "I don't know if I will be here next season.

Despite winning 17 of the 20 La Liga fixtures played so far this season and opening up a 7 point lead over arch rivals Barcelona, Jose Mourinho is not a happy man at Real Madrid and he could leave the Spanish giants this summer for a return to the Premier League.

According to reports emerging from Madrid, Mourinho is 'sick and tired' of the constant power struggles within the club and is seriously considering a return to the EPL.

Is Jose Mourinho putting out feelers for a return to England at the end of the season?

According to a report in The Sunday Times (subscription required), an unnamed source close to Mourinho intimated that the Real coach could leave. "He was sick and tired of this situation at Madrid.

26.12.2011 - De que la estadía española de Mourinho (48) ha dado y seguirá dando que hablar no puede haber dudas. De que su comodidad y momento no son los que esperaba, tampoco (?).
De todos modos, y en honor a la política correcta del más capitalista de los entrenadores, en días que lo encuentran liderando la Liga BBVA, dijo a los micrófonos de la BBC Radio Four que "estoy muy, muy feliz de estar en el Real Madrid es una gran experiencia para mí.

Liverpool FC has lost out on many great players over the years, but the most regrettable missed opportunity is arguably Danish maestro Michael Laudrup. The club had two chances to sign this footballing magician (1983 and 1989) but failed on both occasions. Why did the club miss out and what impact would Laudrup (theoretically) have had?

For some time Sevilla President, Jose del Nido has been the fiercest critique of the La Liga TV deal which results in the big two, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid taking home 50% of the share. He has uped the ante by recently calling upon other Club Presidents to go for a French revolution style revolt and force the big two accept an equal sharing deal.

I wrote earlier that former Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano believes that Barcelona and Real Madrid will abandon La Liga for a European league if their dominance of La Liga continues.

The dominance of Barca and Real derives in part from their control of revenue from TV rights, which gives them a far bigger share of the pot than rivals in other major European leagues.

Former Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano believes that Barcelona and Real Madrid will abandon La Liga for a European league if their dominance of La Liga continues.

The two Spanish giants lost just six games between them last season and third place Valencia finished 25 points behind champions Barcelona.

I wrote earlier that former Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano believes that Barcelona and Real Madrid will abandon La Liga for a European league if their dominance of La Liga continues.

The dominance of Barca and Real derives in part from their control of revenue from TV rights, which gives them a far bigger share of the pot than rivals in other major European leagues.

Former Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano believes that Barcelona and Real Madrid will abandon La Liga for a European league if their dominance of La Liga continues.

The two Spanish giants lost just six games between them last season and third place Valencia finished 25 points behind champions Barcelona.

I have always been anti-Madridista, and wished that the team would lose. However, this has not always been easy, as I have had to recognize a team with enormous merits, not only winning titles, but also putting pride in being fair. It has always been a team characterized by many gentlemen who have been involved in the club for whom I can only have the greatest respect: Jorge Valdano, Vicente del

Once again an Argentine squad packed with some of the best attacking talent in the world underachieved falling to a Uruguayan side in the Copa America quarterfinals. After 120 minutes, the teams battled to a 1-1 draw with both teams missing a number of chances.

Carlos Tevez, who's been the news for a strongly rumoured return to Corinthians could not put away his PK as the baby faced Fernando Muslera saved his effort.

En una temporada, el Real Madrid ha hecho una limpieza bastante grande de jugadores y, conforme va el mercado, podrían ser muchos más. De los 23 que tenía Manuel Pellegrini, la mitad ya han abandonado el club, y no han pasado ni dos años.
Las operaciones salida del Real Madrid en los últimos tres veranos se han caracterizado por quitar a jugadores fichados durante la presidencia de Ramón Calderón.

Zinedine Zidane is set to become Real Madrid's new sporting director.

Zidane, who played for Real Madrid between 2001 and 2006, and has been a special advisor to club president Florentino Perez told eporters on the sidelines of a charity match in Madrid that

"I will be the first team's sporting director,"

The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year said he was still not sure what his functions would be, although Spanish media said it would involve working more closely with Real coach Jose Mourinho.

Zinedine Zidane is set to become Real Madrid's new sporting director.

Zidane, who played for Real Madrid between 2001 and 2006, and has been a special advisor to club president Florentino Perez told eporters on the sidelines of a charity match in Madrid that

"I will be the first team's sporting director,"

The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year said he was still not sure what his functions would be, although Spanish media said it would involve working more closely with Real coach Jose Mourinho.

STARTERS
Jeff Cunningham scored a late goal for Columbus last night and is now tied for the lead as all-time goal scorer in MLS with 133. Jaime Moreno who retired after last season also has scored 133 times.
dN
Stuart Holden contributed $10,000 to the fund raising for Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story.

Zidane becomes director of football at Real Madrid - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Real Madrid and France legend Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he will become the new director of football at the Santiago Bernabeu next season. The former player has been working closely with Madrid president Florentino Perez as a special advisor, creating a link between the first team and the management at Los Blancos.

Zidane becomes director of football at Real Madrid - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Real Madrid and France legend Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he will become the new director of football at the Santiago Bernabeu next season. The former player has been working closely with Madrid president Florentino Perez as a special advisor, creating a link between the first team and the management at Los Blancos.

La marcha de Jorge Valdano está teniendo consecuencias más allá del ámbito puramente deportivo en el conjunto blanco. El exdirectivo hacía una importante labor de portavoz e intermediario del club con los medios que se ha perdido desde que Mourinho ha acaparado todos los poderes.
Con Valdano de portavoz, cada vez que había un problema que afectase a la imagen del club, era él quien salía a la palestra para defender al club delante de los medios.

Former Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon has sensationally compared Jose Mourinho to evil Nazi Dictator Adolf Hitler!

Calderon was president of Real Madrid between 2006 and 2009 and was speaking after Madrid's General Manager Jorge Valdano was dramatically sacked after a very public falling out with current Real boss Jose Mourinho.

Santiago Bernabeu Last Man Standing 2010/11 We don't know whether his relatively short odds on a return to Chelsea helped him, but Jose Mourinho has unexpectedly triumphed in the Real Madrid power struggle. The Special One's internal feud with Real's director general Jorge Valdano has come to an abrupt end with Valdano's sacking.

By Chris Wright

"You can't win, Florentino. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine."

Don't rumble with Jose Mourinho, you won't win...ever.

Sadly (or 'thankfully', depending on your particular bias), this is a life lesson that former Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano has had to learn the hard way.

The preparations are underway for Saturday's Champions League extravaganza! Cameras are being set up around the stadium, players are arriving in London (boyband swagger and all geez!) and the trophy is probably being polished in a fancy factory somewhere. Unless you're an annoyed Basque supporter (many of them are ready to annoy the living daylights out of the Catalans and Madrilenos), you have exactly two days to make your predictions.

José Mourinho ha ganado la guerra: Jorge Valdano abandona el Real Madrid. El argentino, auténtica obsesión del técnico luso durante toda la campaña, deja de ser el director general del club después de una temporada en la que ambos han protagonizado múltiples enfrentamientos. ‘Mou', aunque ya tenía plenos poderes deportivos, se quita de en medio a su principal obstáculo en la entidad y asume el control.

José Mourinho ha ganado la guerra: Jorge Valdano abandona el Real Madrid. El argentino, auténtica obsesión del técnico luso durante toda la campaña, deja de ser el director general del club después de una temporada en la que ambos han protagonizado múltiples enfrentamientos. ‘Mou', aunque ya tenía plenos poderes deportivos, se quita de en medio a su principal obstáculo en la entidad y asume el control.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has won his battle with General Director Jorge Valdano after Valdano was relieved of his duties at the Bernabeu tonight.

Mourinho and Valdano had clashed on numerous occasions since Mourinho's arrival at the club and things came to ahead when Valdano questioned Mourinho's need for another striker following Gonzalo Higuain's injury after which the writing was on the wall that one of them had to leave the club.

Our Real Madrid fan site broke the story almost two weeks ago that Jorge Valdano was set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Well today Real Madrid confirmed that story as they today sacked director general Jorge Valdano after a board meeting at the Bernabeu stadium.

"We have decided to end the contractual relationship with Jorge Valdano," said Real president Florentino Perez.

Our Real Madrid fan site broke the story almost two weeks ago that Jorge Valdano was set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Well today Real Madrid confirmed that story as they today sacked director general Jorge Valdano after a board meeting at the Bernabeu stadium.

"We have decided to end the contractual relationship with Jorge Valdano," said Real president Florentino Perez.

el fútbol es...
"un juego entre dos equipos de once jugadores cada uno, cuya finalidad es hacer entrar un balón por una portería conforme a reglas determinadas, de las que la más característica es que no puede ser tocado con las manos ni con los brazos." (Real Academia Española).

Oh My GOD! This is huge. Jorge Valdano, Real Madrid sporting director (or whatever he is) has left Real Madrid. I have been waiting for this moment the day since Mourinho arrived at Real Madrid. Word has it that they both did not get along with each other. Finally Perez decided that Valdano was bringing [.

Jose Mourinho has won an important power battle in Madrid as Real Madrid's director general Jorge Valdano is expected to leave at the end of the season.

The departure of may Valdano will give Mourinho complete control over this summer's signings, a process that is already under way.

Jorge Valdano dejará el Real Madrid el próximo 30 de junio, según informa José Félix Díaz en El Confidencial. La decisión del director general y adjunto a la presidencia es firme. La tomó hace semanas, pero por fidelidad con Florentino, que no le pone problemas, seguirá hasta el 30 de junio.

Jorge Valdano dejará el Real Madrid el próximo 30 de junio, según informa José Félix Díaz en El Confidencial. La decisión del director general y adjunto a la presidencia es firme. La tomó hace semanas, pero por fidelidad con Florentino, que no le pone problemas, seguirá hasta el 30 de junio.

La posición de Jorge Valdano en el Real Madrid está en entredicho. El director deportivo, cuya relación con José Mourinho deja mucho que desear, no continuará en el conjunto blanco si sigue en el banquillo el técnico portugués.
El organigrama del Real Madrid tiene tres cabezas.

La posición de Jorge Valdano en el Real Madrid está en entredicho. El director deportivo, cuya relación con José Mourinho deja mucho que desear, no continuará en el conjunto blanco si sigue en el banquillo el técnico portugués.
El organigrama del Real Madrid tiene tres cabezas.

According to ESPN Soccernet, Real Madrid have denied the rumor that they have made an offer for Arsenal midfielder Cesc Faabregas. Director general Jorge Valdano told Canal+,

"We never made an offer for him [Fabregas] and we haven't spoken with Arsenal either .

Jose Mourinho looked a shell of the man we have either came to love or loaf in the last seven years as he stood aside in his technical area in Pamplona Sunday night and witnessed his Madrid master plan seemingly blow up in smoke.

The special one was helpless to resist yet another slip up in as many weeks that has derailed his hopes of dashing the dream of a Barcelona side that is continuously getting better and better – seemingly unstoppable in their quest for domestic and European domination.

Football is unpredictable, so much so that one has to be very careful on what they say & how they act because the future & the results are totally unknown. With this Soccer philosophical note Barcelona paper "Sport" via its cartoon section "Futbolitis" has captured well the REAL MADRID situation after losing yesterday in La Liga & falling behind 7 points in the Spanish League in reference to FC

Jose Mourinho made a statement last night featured in The Sun about his future and has admitted that he has decided to come back to England and to the Premier League. I think it's safe to say that since he has left Chelsea he hasn't exactly got on with everyone in Italy and in Spain. He has had the success we all know he has had and fair play to him.