Real Madrid

With the stay in Irdning all but over, Bernd Schuster took the opportunity to discuss the ten days of training that have already taken place.

The other day you joked around about your contract. Is there any news?
It was just a summertime joke. There is nothing new to tell because nothing has taken place.

Is it more feasible that signing Cristiano Ronaldo?
I think so (laughs).

The President has said that Real Madrid doesn’t need a ‘9’.
I am happy that the President has come to speak to me and to tell me what the situation is. We discussed some ideas a while ago and they were pretty clear. It will be good to know if there are any changes.

Is there still time to sign someone?
We’ve got the advantage of being Real Madrid and knowing that any player would like to join us, whether now or later. More importantly, I need to know how to organize myself. If someone is to come, it should be sooner than later. That said, there are players who might make us wait until the last day but who won’t be as bothersome. For me, the sooner the better.

Have you not been informed about what was discussed during the last Board meeting?
That’s a question for the President. He must have believed it unnecessary for a reason, but he’s here today and he will update me.

Last season he asked you what the team needed. Is that why he is coming to see you?
We spend time planning the season and we spoke before the end of last year. We all agreed that we need to get things done as soon as possible. Players arrived very late last year, and that is never good. Of course we always plan for every detail and circumstance which might occur. We’re in the middle of the preseason, there is still a while before the season starts with the Super Cup, and I have a few concerns. But everything is okay. We’ve got the team from last year and I have faith in the players.

Is Van der Vaart a priority?
He’s one of many options, but his name has been coming up a lot lately.

So you want a centre forward?
We’ve been discussing players from the midfield up, both forwards and midfielders.

Will you try to convince Cesc to join your ranks while in London?
It’s not so easy. You make it sound like going to play a tournament is like meeting for a coffee. We’ll cross paths in the stadium because we will watch every game, but it won’t go beyond that

Will you settle for what the President tells you or are you going to make demands?
Everything is okay and we don’t feel any sense of pressure or problems. I’ve only listened to the players, who are a bit concerned about how much longer we have to wait, but it’s nothing too serious.

Are changes really necessary to take on every competition?
There’s a rule that the entire world must follow. No matter what your condition, even had we won all three titles last year, we would have to sign players. It would be wrong to believe that we are good enough not to need anybody. Although we have enjoyed success, we must improve the squad. We want to do better in the Champions League and we want to win La Liga again. We are obligated to improve this squad.

What’s your relationship like with Mijatovic?
Just like any other. There is no animosity.

Are you sure you will be sticking with Robinho?
Yes.

The President has said that neither he nor the club will be affected if Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t come. Would it be a disappointment for the fans?
There are always different opinions. A lot of people are excited about the prospect, others not so much. I think we need to make a move to get the fans excited, which is crucial to our success. If one player doesn’t come, another will, and the fans can be equally as pleased.

Can we conclude that you will ask the President for more respect?
No. I have a good relationship with the President, which is why he is coming in the first place. We really appreciate his trip.

How many positions do you think need filling?
We’ve got a good idea and no one should have any doubts. We’ve done well and must find solutions any way possible.

And if you’ve got such good ideas, why hasn’t anyone been signed yet?
Because we’re waiting for the big one (laughs).

Have you thought about holding onto Garay?
It’s been a possibility ever since he was signed. We could call on him if we had problems in that position, but we’re hoping not to have any issues with our centre-backs.

Is signing a midfielder necessary? Aer you interested in Van der Vaart?
Of course we want to improve that position. We can still make some moves, which can also be said about our attack. Van Der Vaart is a player who forms part of our plans if Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t join Real Madrid.