06/12/2005
Real Madrid director Sacchi to step down
Real Madrid on Tuesday announced Arrigo Sacchi will
leave his position as director of soccer at the end of the year.
The former AC Milan and Atletico Madrid coach joined Madrid on December 21 last
year and was thought to be one of the prime movers behind the signing of coach
Wanderley Luxemburgo.
Luxemburgo was sacked as Real Madrid boss and replaced by "B" team coach Juan
Ramon Lopez Caro on Sunday.
In a statement issued on its website, www.realmadrid.com, the club explained the
reasons for the Italian's departure.
"The current director of football told the club president Florentino Perez of
his decision two weeks before the recent Real Madrid-Barcelona game (played on
November 19)," the statement read.
"Sacchi assures us he has been very happy at Real Madrid, which is why he wants
to complete the year in his position, but family reasons have made him take this
decision, which he told Florentino Perez and the board of directors last Sunday."
Vice president Emilio Butragueno will now take a greater role in team affairs,
as he did before Sacchi's arrival.
Reports suggest former club captain Fernando Hierro is in line to succeed Sacchi.
