Real Madrid in Talks with Toni Kroos for Zidane-Style Advisory Role

Key facts

• Toni Kroos, 36, retired after the 2024 European Championship, declining a contract renewal from Real Madrid.
• Real Madrid have gone trophyless in 2024/25 under Carlo Ancelotti, with the same fate threatening the current season.
• Kroos won five Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles during his 10-year tenure at the club.
• The club's hierarchy, led by president Florentino Pérez, initiated talks weeks ago to bring Kroos back.
• Kroos's potential role would mirror Zinedine Zidane's path: starting as an advisor and possibly transitioning to coaching.
• Kroos currently runs the Toni Kroos Academy in Madrid, opened in September 2024, and co-hosts a podcast with his brother Felix.
• Key decision-makers include general manager Jose Angel Sanchez, chief scout Juni Calafat, and director of professional football Santiago Solari.

A Return in the Making

Real Madrid are in concrete negotiations with Toni Kroos over a return to the club, not as a player but in a role that could see him influence squad planning, represent the institution, and provide day-to-day support at the training ground. The talks, confirmed by sources with knowledge of the discussions, have been driven by club president Florentino Pérez, who decided weeks ago that the time had come to bring back one of the defining figures of Madrid's recent European dominance. The move is independent of any coaching change, contrary to speculation linking Kroos's return to Jürgen Klopp. The desire to reintegrate Kroos predates any decision on the managerial position, with the club hierarchy viewing him as a valuable asset whose experience and composure can unite the dressing room and the fanbase.

The Zidane Blueprint

Madrid are studying a path for Kroos similar to that of Zinedine Zidane, who first joined the club in an advisory role in November 2010 before becoming a Champions League-winning coach. According to reports, Kroos could start in a similar capacity, representing the club at official events and working within the inner circle of the first team, with a potential future transition to coaching. when asked about becoming a coach, he has responded that he already is one, pointing to his hands-on involvement with youth teams at his academy. The club sees his judgment, character, and deep understanding of the demanding Madrid dressing room as assets too valuable to let go.

A Decade of Dominance

Kroos joined Real Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2014 and went on to win 23 trophies over 10 years, including five Champions League titles (2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024) and four La Liga championships (2017, 2020, 2022, 2024). He also won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, making 114 appearances for his country. His retirement came at the peak of his powers, after a season in which he won both the Champions League and La Liga. Despite Madrid's offer to extend his contract, he chose to step away to spend more time with his family. Since then, the club has gone trophyless under Carlo Ancelotti in 2024/25, and the current season faces similar threats despite the efforts of coaches Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa.

The Role and the Power Structure

While the exact nature of Kroos's role remains undefined, sources say he would work closely with Madrid's major decision-makers: president Florentino Pérez, general manager Jose Angel Sanchez, and chief scout Juni Calafat. These three currently hold the greatest influence over strategic decisions, including major transfers, while Santiago Solari holds the title of director of professional football. If an agreement is reached, Kroos could wield significant input in this arena, potentially forming a duo with a future coach or strengthening the group of former players working for the club. The talks have been facilitated by the excellent relationship between Kroos and the club, with Madrid having been open to discussing a return for some time.

Life After Retirement

Since hanging up his boots, Kroos has devoted himself to the Toni Kroos Academy, which opened in Madrid in September 2024, and to a popular podcast he runs with his brother Felix. He has been seen frequently at Madrid's Valdebebas training complex with his youth teams, acting as a leader, coach, and teacher, passing on his understanding of the game to the youngest players. Those familiar with the academy project say Kroos has thrown himself into it wholeheartedly. His focus on developing young talent aligns with Madrid's interest in leveraging his expertise, though for now he remains concentrated on his personal projects.

What Comes Next

The first approaches have already taken place, and at Valdebebas there is belief that Kroos's return could become reality in the coming days. The club hierarchy's interest is driven by a desire to recover a figure who managed to unite everyone through his quality as a footballer and his composure both on and off the field. No decision has been made on the exact position Kroos would occupy, but the momentum behind his return continues to build. The talks are moving along a separate track from any coaching negotiations, with the starting point being the strengthening of the club's group of former players who work for the institution.

A Logical Yet Surprising Move

Kroos returning to Madrid is both surprising and logical. Surprising because not quite two years have passed since his retirement, when he decided he wanted more time with his family despite still being at the peak of his career. Logical because Madrid value his experience and expertise too highly to let him go. If the talks succeed, Kroos would join a select group of former players who have transitioned into influential roles at the club. His return could mark the beginning of a new chapter for both him and Real Madrid, one that blends his legacy on the pitch with a future off it.

The bottom line

• Real Madrid are in advanced talks to bring Toni Kroos back in an advisory role, mirroring Zinedine Zidane's career path at the club.
• Kroos's return is independent of any coaching change and predates decisions on the managerial position.
• He would work closely with president Florentino Pérez, general manager Jose Angel Sanchez, and chief scout Juni Calafat on squad planning and representation.
• Kroos won 23 trophies in 10 years at Madrid, including five Champions League titles, and retired after the 2024 European Championship.
• Since retiring, he has focused on his football academy in Madrid and a podcast, but has been seen coaching youth teams at the club's training complex.
• The talks are expected to conclude in the coming days, with both sides maintaining an excellent relationship.