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Analysis of the first 100 days:Ramón Calderón discusses his role as President of the Club on Realmadrid TV

Have these 100 days seemed too few, too many, or somtimes eternal? Some even doubted you would make it this far.
They have been enough to make me realise what this Club means, although I already had a pretty good idea after my five years as a member of the previous Board of Directors. I have been elected for four years and I have to do everything possible to ensure that all the Board of Director's projects are put into practice.

What have been your biggest challenges, your highs, and your lows?
They have been a very short 100 days, but I am very pleased with all the work we have done. We signed the best coach in the world, Fabio Capello, as well as five new players. We’re doing a very good job so far. We have invited our Members to come to the Presidential Balcony and the Club has allocated 5,000 new season tickets for them. And all the fan feedback has been great so far.

Has your opinion about the Club changed since you were an ‘outspoken member’ to the time you were a director and to being President? Have your feelings about the Club changed over those three periods of your life?
What has changed over that timeframe was the Club's position, because economically speaking, we have moved from invoicing 70-80 million euros to invoicing 330 million. We used to be an important Spanish Club that didn't have the same prominence outside of Spain, and now we are the best Club of the 20th Century according to FIFA. This probably happened thanks to the incredible international expansion the Club underwent at the end of the century. On the other hand, I think we shouldn't just focus on the sporting side of the Club. I think it is important to highlight the work this entity does through it's Foundation, which is something people know less about. When I was part of the previous administration, we only focused on the sporting side of things at Real Madrid. When I took office as President, I found myself at the helm of a Club that wasn't sufficiently well organised. It is important that the President not be a key figure in this Club. Real Madrid is full of great professionals in every area, who weren't being used to their full potential before. I'm trying to follow the English model of a Club President. In England, the Presidential change doesn't really alter how a Club functions.


The new team has many veteran players as its backbone. Do you think that even if Real Madrid won a title this year, they could continue being successful in the future? Don't you think the team would need to be rebuilt?
We've got many players who are 25 years old and younger, such as Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Cicinho, Javi García, Reyes, Robinho, Cassano and Diarra. We also need experienced players, and by signing Emerson, Cannavaro and Van Nistelrooy we have brought serenity and experience to the team. I know Sergio Ramos loves playing with Cannavaro, from whom he's learning a lot. I guess the players feel the same about Emerson. We have to develop, and we have young players to secure our future. We also have Castilla as a source for other players, and I'm sure they will provide a few. Castilla has produced players like De la Red, Juanfran and Jurado. I don't think people have to be worried about the team ending up with an old squad. I don't think that is a problem.

Of all the new signings over the summer, who are you most pleased with?
All of them. They are all fantastic players and they have given us what we really needed. We had a team with some deficiencies, but now I think we are very solid and we aspire to win every competition we play in. I am sure we can do it.


What goals have you set yourself for the next four years?
I want to build upon the Club's economic model. I've hired the most qualified people to handle the sporting side, so I don't need to interfere in their work. I want to create a soccer academy at Valdebebas, to develop kids as footballers as well as people. I'm very excited with the possibility of developing children with Real Madrid's sporting values.

Do you think the reason Members and fans prefer Capello is because he can lead the team to a title rather than having them play eye-catching football?
Capello also wants to see the talent and pretty football come out. But he knows when it's appropriate and when it's not. Capello acquired a team in shambles, five new players, and Cassano, who went totally unnoticed last year. So he is responsible for rebuilding. I think Capello is the type of coach that can bring immediate results. That doesn't mean he like to play the way we all like. The spectacle is to winning. That's the main goal. Winning means you play well. Focusing on either attack or defence is another story. The team scored a record number of goals when Capello was here 10 years ago. He basically built a Dream Team. He played three forwards, Mijatovic, Suker and Raúl. He has told me that Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy will play together once he is sure the team is strong.


Will David Beckham be staying?
I’ve told him on several occasions that we would be very lucky to have him with us for the rest of his football career. He’s very important for us in two aspects. He’s one of the most brilliant players we have on the field, and he’s also vital from a commercial standpoint. We have discussed extending his contract for two more years, being that his current contract ends in 2007. I am confident he will be with us for another two years, and after that, it’s up to him. We would love to extend his contract again.

Looking ahead to the January transfer window, do you have any new faces you are considering?
It’s still too early to make any decisions. I have talked to [Capello] and he hasn’t really mentioned it. But, because [Cicinho] suffered a very serious injury and might not play for the rest of the season, in January we’ll have a good look to see if there are any players that can satisfy our needs. If it’s feasible, we’ll sign them.

Real Madrid have a very good youth system as well. Are you happy with Míchel’s work? Are there any faces we should be looking out for?
Míchel knows the Club inside and out, and I am sure he will develop some youth players into footballers capable of playing on the First Team. It’s not easy for young players, because the best players in the world play for Real Madrid and our fans demand victories. I am sure several of our players will move up through the ranks over the next couple of years.


You have also offered unconditional support to the basketball team. How do you think they are going to do this season?
We have managed to build a very good team. We have a very good coach who was the former assistant to [Boza Maljkovic]. We have brought a great group of players together, and proved it last week by defeating the reigning ACB League Champions by 29 points. It was a sign of great things to come this year.

What can you tell us about Real Madrid basketball's NBA project?
I think it is a very exciting project. I think we have chosen an excellent coach for the team that has formed what I believe to be a team that will make the fans proud. We are being invited into a project we can't turn our back on. It's a beautiful project that would bring the world's best basketball to Spain. This doesn't mean we would abandon the Spanish League system, with which we fully identify and in which we hope to play an important role this season.

Have there been any substantial changes in Real Madrid's relationship with UEFA, FIFA, the Spanish FA, or the referees?
It is vital that Real Madrid play a part in every sports institution. It has always been the case, and it should remain like that way. We should always make decisions from the inside by way of dialogue. Fighting with institutions has never paid off. Resolving everything would benefit both us and them.


What do your friends tell you about how Real Madrid play?
Some say they get bored, others have fun watching, and others have told me the team needs to mature. But for the most part, they like watching Reyes, Robinho, Ronaldo's return... There's a little bit of everything.

If the Club was to win just one trophy, which would you prefer, The King’s Cup, La Liga, or the Champions League?
Definitely the Champions League. It’s a competition that Madridistas believe is theirs. Real Madrid have won it nine times, more than any other Club. We consider it ‘our’ competition. That’s why we hope to be raising the trophy next May.


Transcription by Laura Osorio & Matthew Goltz
Photos by David R. Anchuelo
Translation by Matthew Goltz and Michael J. O'Donnell

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 10:16 PM