Zinedine Zidane learns the A-ZZ of management

The ex-France, Juventus and Real Madrid superstar has started a two-year university diploma at Limoges to become a manager and is dreaming of coaching Les Bleus. Zizou said: "France manager? Why not? It would not be bad. Anything is possible in life."

Current coach Laurent Blanc is not yet quaking in his boots as Zidane has two years of hard studying ahead.

And it is believed he will first put his new skills to work in his current role as Real Madrid Director of Sport. Zidane enrolled into the Centre of Law and Sports Finances at Limoges with 17 other hopefuls, with former Leeds midfielder Olivier Dacourt among them.

Mourinho ya es «manager» del Real Madrid

El Real Madrid ha hecho oficial, mediante un comunicado en su página web, el nombramiento de su entrenador José Mourinho como nuevo 'manager deportivo de fútbol' de la entidad que preside Florentino Pérez.

Además, el club madridista anunció también la reestructuración de otros cargos en el Real Madrid e informó de que habrá una única dirección General de la que se hará cargo José Ángel Sánchez y una dirección del Gabinete de Presidencia, bajo la responsabilidad de Manuel Redondo.

Ronaldo hat-trick propels Real Madrid win

Cristiano Ronaldo scored three goals in a devastating nine minute second-half spell on Wednesday to propel Spanish giants Real Madrid to a 3-0 victory over Mexico's Chivas Guadalajara.

Ronaldo, a former world footballer of the year, was thwarted by Chivas keeper Luis Michel in the first half of the friendly.

Michel stopped one of the Portuguese star's signature free kicks in the 6th minute and shortly afterwards denied a Ronaldo headed attempt off a corner.

Then as half-time approached Ronaldo fought off a defender to reach a through ball from Mezut Ozil, only to find Michel had rushed out to close the angle.

Man City manager Mancini expects Aguero developments

Manchester City are closing in on a deal to sign Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero, BBC Sport understands.

The move comes despite the deadlock in Carlos Tevez's proposed move to Brazilian outfit Corinthians.

The Tevez transfer is on hold after the Brazilian side contradicted City boss Roberto Mancini's claim that a deal had been agreed.

David Beckham: "I'll prove I'm still the Real deal"

Becks and his LA Galaxy team-mates are gearing up for the World Football Challenge in the States, which also features Premier League champions Manchester United.

And the England international is looking forward to proving he can still cut it among the best players in the world.

Beckham, who starred for Madrid from 2003 to 2007, said: "I spent four amazing years at Real Madrid.

"To go from a club like Manchester United to Real Madrid, it really doesn't get much better than that in football.

"I've got many friends still there. To be facing Real Madrid for the first time since I left is emotional.

"You get attached to the club, you get attached to the people.

David Beckham: Real Madrid can win everything with 'genius' Jose Mourinho

Real Madrid are on course to win everything under the expert guidance of "genius" Jose Mourinho, believes former Santiago Bernabeu favourite David Beckham.

The ex-England captain spent four years in the Spanish capital between 2003 and 2007, and believes that the Portuguese tactician will take next season by storm, and in doing so end Barcelona's run of dominance in La Liga.

Beckham told Marca: "Madrid are building a powerful side with important players and they can win all competitions. They are a team that strikes fear [into opponents] and I have no doubts they are able to win everything.

"They have one of the best coaches in the world - Mourinho is a genius - and he has proved this with all the teams he has coached."

The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder also hailed former Manchester United man Cristiano Ronaldo, and added that he hopes to face him when Madrid arrive to do battle in a pre-season friendly next weekend.

He said of the winger: "Ronaldo is a phenomenon and one of the best. I hope to play against him."

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Official: Real Madrid announce signing of Lens' Raphael Varane

Real Madrid have announced they have completed the signing of RC Lens defender Raphael Varane for an undisclosed fee.

The France Under-21 international passed a medical with Real Madrid earlier on Monday and has penned a contract until 2017 with the club.

Varane, who made his professional debut for Lens only last year, has established himself as one of France's most promising youth players despite his club being relegated to Ligue 2.

Upon arriving at the Spanish capital's airport, Varane said he was 'very happy' to sign for Real Madrid, who finished second in La Liga last season.

Real Madrid join Raphael Varane hunt

Real Madrid are considering making a move for Lens defender Raphael Varane, who has been linked with a €10.5 million move to Manchester United.

L'Equipe reports that the Spanish giants will use Zinedine Zidane's French connections to lure the 18-year-old to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid looks to speed up Coentrão deal

Real Madrid will finalise a deal with Benfica for left-back Fabio Coentrao in the next few days, Spanish news daily Marca claims.

The Spanish giants have been strongly linked with Coentrao since the end of last season, with the player himself making no secret of his wish to work under compatriot Jose Mourinho.

GPS de táctica com selo especial

"Não é por acaso que José Mourinho é o melhor treinador do Mundo." A sentença é de Luís Campos, agora menos próximo dos bancos, mas com uma experiência acumulada que lhe permitiu ser o elo de ligação entre o técnico do Real Madrid e a equipa informática que desenvolveu a aplicação inovadora.

O Special One sentiu necessidade de "criar uma ferramenta que permitisse, de forma rápida, visualizar de forma parcial ou global o trabalho realizado no treino e possíveis alterações em jogo", explica Luís Campos. Foi assim que o processo de elaboração do Mourinho Tactical Board (MTB) tomou forma, dando origem, após meses de árduo trabalho, a um programa que apenas pode ser adquirido por download facilmente localizável através do Google.

Jose Mourinho is the world's best coach - Real Madrid president Florentino Perez

Perez reinforces faith in 'Special One' and promises next season will bring more success in terms of silverware.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insists José Mourinho is the best coach in the world and is certain that the capital city club are destined for big things next season.

Perez was eager to reiterate his faith in the 'Special One' in front of 5000 club members who visited Valdebebas for a tour of Madrid's training facilities.

Fab set to snub Utd for Real move

MANCHESTER UNITED look set to miss out to Real Madrid in the race to sign £26million-rated Benfica star Fabio Coentrao.

The left-sided Portugal international has been linked with the Red Devils, Real and Barcelona but admits his preferred destination would be the Bernabeu.

Friday Transfer - The Truth, The Rumour and The Downright Improbable

Ronaldo to leave Real for £150 million

Following a reported fallout with The Special One, Real are supposedly ready to listen to offers of around £150 million for their world record signing and club season record goalscorer. When you throw in a wage demand of anything north of £250,000 per week, then there is only one, even remotely, possibly destination. New FA Cup holders, Manchester City, have dismissed any and all speculation that discussions between the two clubs has taken place. However with Carlos Tevez again expressing a desire to leave maybe a player plus cash deal could be on the cards. In the crazy worlds of City, Ronaldo and Real anything is possible!

Empresa portuguesa desenvolve software para o “Special One”

A empresa portuguesa Forward Green, desenvolveu um sofware “à medida” de José Mourinho, o “Mourinho Tactical Board”, uma vez que foi projectado especificamente para o treinador do Real Madrid.

No entanto, o software tem sido cobiçado por treinadores, técnicos e agentes desportivos de todo o mundo.

O software, que foi dado a conhecer em Abril, permite gerir e planear a estrutura táctica da equipa que se treina e das equipas rivais, durante toda a época.

Van der Vaart happy to stay at Spurs

Rafael Van der Vaart insists he has no intention of leaving Tottenham this summer, despite the club's failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Spurs reached the Champions League quarter-finals where they eventually fell to Real Madrid, and looked to be on course to secure fourth place again this year, but recent results have seen them slip behind Manchester City.

Colocan a Tévez como objetivo número uno del Madrid

El nombre de Carlos Tévez vuelve a sonar con fuerza para el Real Madrid. Según publica el Daily Mirror, el delantero del Manchester City sería el objetivo número de José Mourinho para este verano. Según el tabloide inglés, el Madrid ya habría empezado a negociar con el agente del jugador, Kia Joorabchian, y estaría dispuesto a ofrecer unos 35 millones de libras, 40 millones de euros, al Manchester City.

Real Madrid confirm Sahin signing

Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin.

The 22-year-old Turkey international has agreed a six-year deal with the Spanish giants after helping Dortmund land this season's Bundesliga title.

Sahin becomes Jose Mourinho's first signing for the 2011/12 campaign as Madrid contemplate missing out on the La Liga crown to Barcelona once again.

Porto to face Braga in Europa League final

Porto and Braga sealed semi-final wins to set up an all-Portuguese Europa League final in Dublin on 18 May.

Braga overcame a 2-1 first-leg deficit with a narrow 1-0 second-leg victory at home to beat Benfica on away goals.

Will Tidey - Lionel Messi unlocks the door to greatness

Despite his undisputed genius, there was still a question mark over Lionel Messi's pedigree for greatness ahead of last night's Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid.

Messi might be a twice world footballer of the year, and still only 23 years old, but was his mesmeric talent applying itself when it really mattered?

The little maestro had scored a record 50 times for Barcelona this season before he stepped on the field, but not once in six previous matches at this stage of Europe's biggest club competition.

Miracles can happen - Redknapp

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is confident that his players are capable of creating history by pulling off a "miraculous" comeback against Real Madrid tomorrow.

A ruthless 4-0 hammering in the Bernabeu last week left Tottenham facing a huge task to overcome Jose Mourinho's side and make the Champions League semi-finals. No team in the history of the competition has been able to overturn a four-goal margin from a first leg defeat.