Diego Forlan: Real Madrid always want the headlines

Former Manchester United and Atletico de Madrid striker Diego Forlan has said some of the decisions made by the Real Madrid directors defy logic at times and the club’s chiefs only want it to make headlines.

Los Blancos were indeed in the press again this week, with plenty of coverage surrounding the departure of Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked just 12 months after winning the Champions League – a trophy Real Madrid had to wait 12 years for and go through 11 managers before the Italian secured it.

Writing in his column for UAE’s National newspaper, Forlan said Madrid only want to make headlines, and have paid the price in recent years – by selling some of their best players and sacked world class coaches.

He wrote: “Real Madrid always do things which appear to have no logic. That’s what Madrid do. They sack managers when they’ve won the European Cup, they sell some of their best players at their peak.

“This week they sacked Carlo Ancelotti, just five months after his team was crowned world champions and less than a year after he won the decima, the 10th European Cup they tried to win for 12 years. Everyone shakes their heads at Madrid, but everyone pays attention to the club at the same time. Madrid is always the story, this big machine dominating the media.”

The Uruguayan cited another example of headline making, with the sale of Angel di Maria last summer. The South American was at the peak of his powers, loved by the fans and his fellow team mates, but has struggled since his move to Manchester United.

“I couldn’t understand why they sold Angel di Maria last August. He was one of their best players of recent seasons and hugely popular with players and fans,” he commented,

And he went on: “Instead, Di Maria was struggling at Manchester United at a great club with a coach who isn’t keen on South American players. Juan Riquelme barely got a chance at Barcelona under Louis van Gaal and while Di Maria has had chances this season, he joined a club in transition.”