Real Madrid have sacked coach Fabio Capello, 11 days after the Italian guided them to their first league title since 2003. Capello, 61, had two years left to run on his contract at the Bernabeu.
Real president Ramon Calderon: "We've laid the foundations, but we need to find a more enthusiastic way of playing."
German coach and ex-Real player Bernd Schuster is the heir-apparent, having negotiated an amicable release from his job at Getafe.
Capello is in the unusual position of having managed Real on two occasions, both for one season only, and winning the Spanish title for them each time. Having previously triumphed in 1996-97 with Madrid, he returned last summer from Juventus on a three-year contract.
History is repeating itself in one sense as Real again show they have little sentiment as far as successful managers are concerned. The club's last Spanish title victory in 2003 was not enough to keep Vicente del Bosque in his job, and German coach Jupp Heynckes was also sacked after guiding Real to the Champions League title in 1998.
Real's sporting director Predrag Mijatovic: "We have taken the decision not to continue with Fabio Capello next season. It was a difficult decision but a unanimous one based on an exhaustive report I made to the board. We don't think Capello is the right person to lead Real Madrid into the future given what we want this club to achieve. Now we have time to think over who will be the next head coach."
Capello in return has said: "I would like to thank publically Real Madrid to allow me to coach for the second time this great club, and to having helped me contribute like in 1996-1997 to win the Liga title.
"A thank you also to the squad, the technical staff and medical team, and Franco Baldini, who has always been close to me during this time. Thanks to everyone for the support that they have given in this experience. I can't forget our fans, without a doubt the best fan-base in the world."
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