Fabio Fired

Fabio Capello was fired as coach of Real Madrid yesterday, less than two weeks after leading the club to their first league title in four years. Madrid's sports director Pedrag Mijatovic said the decision, which was widely expected, was made at a board meeting last Thursday.

The decision, even though a difficult one, was widely expected. It was made at a board meeting, when Capello was on a holiday abroad. It is the second time he has been fired by Madrid immediately after winning the league title - he suffered the same fate in 1997. Capello, who had two years remaining on his contract, was fired after a report containing all the controversies that took place within the club, was published. The report lead to a unanimous decision of firing Capello.

Capello’s greatest mistake had been underestimating Beckham’s potential, especially in the UEFA Cup this year. Capello made an unpopular decision to bench David Beckham after the England midfielder signed a contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Capello also admitted this mistake later after winning the Spanish League title saying, “A major fault of mine was not to recognise Beckham's potential.”

The club was considering several candidates to replace the Italian coach but would not give any names. The only hint is that they are looking for someone young. Who knows maybe Zinedine Zidane might make a surprise comeback as Real coach.

Zidane Jr. – The Future Number 10

Zinedine Zidane may not be with Real anymore but he has left behind something that has the Real coaches excited. Zidane’s son, Enzo Alan, who he named after the great Uruguayan player Enzo Francescoli, might become the long-term successor to Zidane’s legacy.

Enzo Alan, now 12 years old, joined Real’s junior team in 2001, when he was only six. He recently scored his first goal and has the Real coaches talking about his future prospects.

Enzo is currently the captain of Real’s junior team and his coaches foresee a natural number 10 and Zidane in him.

Alves into Real's Dressing Room

After winning the Copa del Rey and Uefa Cup this season, Daniel Alves was asked about the prospect of joining Real. Alves responded by saying "Wow. That would be too much success for one person!”

To Alves surprise Real Madrid have begun talks with his agent about a summer move. Jose Rodriguez Baster met with Real directors Pedja Mijatovic and Franco Baldini on Friday to discuss the Brazil international's situation. It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two parties after several weeks of phone calls.

The Brazilian has been non-committal about his future at the Sanchez Pizjuan, with some of Europe’s biggest clubs chasing his signature. Alves’ marauding runs forwards from right-back were a major factor in his side’s success this season. Daniel Alves has a contract with Sevilla until 2012, which carries a £40 million buyout clause. Real won't consider going higher than £20 million for the right-sided flyer.

Alves has openly admitted to the press that "The dressing room of Real Madrid is the best in the world."

Real Kaka

AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder Ricardo Izecson Santos Leite, who we might know as Kaka has not ruled out a transfer to Real Madrid. The player's spokesman has confirmed this news last Wednesday, even though Kaka's wealthy father (also his agent) has dismissed any transfers to Real Madrid. He has angrily stated to the press that "My son could not be sold."

Talks between the two clubs would be very difficult but Real Madrid, who won their 30th Spanish title on Sunday, have already made an offer of 80 million euros, an offer no footballer can refuse. Kaka, who scored 10 goals for AC Milan during the Champions League last season, would be "the most expensive transfer in the history of football", if he agrees to join Real, topping the roughly 75 million euros Real paid Juventus to sign Zinedine Zidane in 2001.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon vowed to sign Kaka, who is under contract with Milan until 2011, as part of his campaign for the presidency of the club last year.

Real Madrid wins it for the 30th time

Real Madrid has done it for the 30th time, but this time the victory came after four long years, on Beckham’s last European venture. At a packed Bernabeu stadium Real Madrid won the La Liga trophy against a determined Real Mallorca side.

With three teams -- Real Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla -- contending for the trophy on the final day, all the matches were scheduled to be played simultaneously. All attention was focused on Real Madrid's match. All Real had to do was simply to win the match at it's own stadium and get the crown, irrespective of the others' results.

Victory was never going to come easy for Madrid. Real Mallorca silenced the noisy Bernabeu stadium at the 17th minute when Fernando Varela fired home to give the visitors a surprise lead. At half time it's archrival and bitter contender for the trophy, Barcelona, was leading relegated Gimnastic 3-0, after conceding goals from Puyol, Messi and Ronaldinho. Sevilla on the other hand was still tied in its match with Villarreal 0-0.

Real Madrid's coach Fabio Capello made a gamble, in the second half at the 66th minute by replacing Beckham, with former Arsenal player Reyes. It paid off almost immediately as he re-awakened a dead Bernabeu stadium by hitting an equalizer for Real Madrid in just two minutes.
The home crowd went wild with joy at the 80th minute when midfielder Mahamadou Diarra decisively headed home to take Madrid in front. That joy increased when man of the match Reyes sealed the victory just three minutes later with a superb strike -- with only seven minutes left.

At 90 minutes, both Real Madrid and Barcelona, having won their matches, ended the league on 76 points. But it was Real Madrid that carried the trophy based on the head-to-head rule.

Madrid ended its longest major trophy drought in 53 years with wild celebrations and a lap of honor before throwing coach Fabio Capello into the air as the Italian won his second title as coach at Madrid. The other was in 1997.

The team traveled to the Plaza de Cibeles in the city center as is customary in an open-top bus to celebrate with thousands of cheering fans. The players waived flags and drank champagne while fireworks splashed across the sky.