Real Madrid rubbish rumours they are seeking a sporting director

Real Madrid have denied suggestions they are planning an organisational restructure that includes the appointment of a sporting director.

The club’s defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night means a trophyless season is looking increasingly likely, prompting speculation president Florentino Perez has ordered reform to drag the club back to the top of European football.

A report on the El Larguero programme on Cadena Ser last night said they were looking to hire a sporting director to drive that change, but the club issued a swift denial this morning.

A Madrid statement read: “Real Madrid informs that the information broadcast by the programme El Larguero on Cadena Ser last night, claiming that our club is considering adding a sporting director to its structure, is completely false.

“Real Madrid greatly values the work carried out by the club’s sporting management, which has allowed us to experience one of the most successful periods in our history, including the achievement of numerous titles, among them six European Cups in 10 years.”

Real Madrid’s current structure

Madrid’s current structure is headed by Perez and his board of directors while the likes of Jose Angel Sanchez, Santiago Solari and Juni Calafat, the man widely credited for identifying the talent of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, are also involved.

But questions are being asked after a season that started with Xabi Alonso at the helm has disintegrated so badly.

Alonso was sacked in January after less than a year in charge with the appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa not producing any noticeable improvement.

Former Madrid midfielder Alonso was the most highly coveted coach in world football when he arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu but an underwhelming summer transfer window which saw the arrivals of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen, coupled with reported disagreements with the likes of Vinicius Jr, meant he was gone at the start of 2026.

Madrid are seven points behind Barcelona in the Liga title race and play Girona tonight.