Toni Kroos talks Ancelotti, Perez, Nacho, Ronaldo, Real Madrid, future – ‘I’m not going to be a coach’ | OneFootball

While Real Madrid were only expected to get better with the addition of Kylian Mbappe to the UEFA Champions League winning squad, the Merengues have largely struggled for form this season.

A big part of that comes down to the lack of stability and creativity in midfield after the departure of Toni Kroos who stabilised the middle of the park for the club for over a decade.

The midfield legend made his shocking decision to retire earlier this year and revealed that the Euros would be his final competition as a professional footballer.

While Germany did not go all the way in the premier event, he did leave as a reigning La Liga and UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid.

Kroos speaks on his retirement

Speaking to The Athletic in a recent conversation, the Real Madrid legend spoke on a plethora of topics revolving around his departure from the club, his decision and his plans for the future.

He began by speaking on when he made the decision to call it quits from the game, saying,

“It was shortly before May, but not much earlier. At the end of March or early April. I had been hesitating for three or four months, but that’s how I am: when I make a decision, that’s it.”

Kroos then revealed who the first person to know his decision was and insisted that it was never in doubt.

“The first was the coach because with the relationship we have… Carlo (Ancelotti) was also my first coach here when I arrived in 2014. He deserved to know first.”

“But on the same day, I called Florentino (Perez, Madrid president) and Jose Angel (Sanchez, the club’s general director and Perez’s right-hand man), and then colleagues I had been with for a long time.”

The legend then revealed that he had been in conversation with the club over a possible retirement for months and when the final decision was made.

“I had been talking to the club for months and they were informed, but the final decision — the final, final one — was first communicated to Carlo and, an hour later, to Florentino.”

“It was about three days before the official announcement. They kept it a secret and that made me happy because it shows they are trustworthy,” he added on the club respecting his privacy.

Kroos announced retirement at the end of the season. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Staying on the topic of his retirement, the former Germany international revealed that Real Madrid gave him the freedom to choose his future, be it a renewal or retirement.

“They always made it clear in the meetings we had that I could announce it [retirement] whenever I wanted to.”

“Yes, yes. It’s not a secret. The decision process was sad and happy at the same time. It was the end of a very nice cycle, with very nice people, in the biggest club there is and with so much success,” he added when asked if he had a renewal offer on the table.

Reliving his final days at the club and how the stadium showered love on him as he made his way off the field the final few times as a Real Madrid player, Kroos said,

“But I was also happy to see what I had achieved, how people said goodbye to me, for example in the Bernabeu. It’s very difficult to explain. I didn’t expect that much. A farewell yes, but you can’t expect something like that.”

The player was then quizzed if his decision would have been different had Real Madrid not gone all the way in the UEFA Champions League.

“No, no. It just wasn’t a decision related to matches or results,” he said.

On the reaction of his peers, coaches and close circle after his decision, the midfielder said,

“Nobody was happy. Some couldn’t believe it because they said it wasn’t the right time because of the level I was playing at.”

“Despite trying to convince me, they all knew they were not going to change my mind,” he added.

The interview then turned towards a second topic Kroos’ prejudice against playing in Saudi Arabia, especially given how he made his stance very clear with his reaction to young Gabri Veiga’s move to Saudi Arabia.

“In those examples, you see the difference. Someone who has won Champions League titles (Nacho) and who is closer to the end of his career is different to someone who leaves at 21 and wants to be a good player,” he said on the difference between Veiga and his former teammates Nacho and Joselu who are playing in the middle east.

“I’m not a fan of anyone going there. But it’s different if you go like Nacho or Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of their careers and having done everything, legends at Madrid and in Europe,” he added.

Finally, the veteran was asked about a possible future as a manager which he did not even entertain.

“No, I’m not going to be a coach.”

“No, that’s impossible. Whenever he (Carlo Ancelotti) wants to, I will always give him my opinion. But he knows why I retired,” he added when asked if he would reconsider his decision if Carlo Ancelotti asked him to join his team.

Finally, Kroos was asked if a future as a sporting director was open, to which he said,

“Maybe as a sporting director, you’re a bit freer, you work more with your mobile phone, etc, but it’s impossible to be a coach.”