Madrid seek Sacchi's expertise
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Article summary
Real Madrid CF have appointed Arrigo Sacchi as director of football while naming Emilio Butragueño vice-president.
Article body
Planning strategy
Sacchi's role will be to support coach Mariano García Remón while assessing the strengths of Madrid's playing staff and planning a transfer strategy for next summer. He must also help decide on a possible successor to García Remón, who was appointed coach in September on a short-term basis until the summer.
Butragueño named vice-president
The 58-year-old Italian will be working under the club's newly appointed vice-president Emilio Butragueño, who will continue in his role as general sporting manager. Sacchi will be supported in his role by Ramon Martínez, previously the man responsible for overseeing the club's entire playing staff from juniors through to the first team.
Showdown with Capello
Sacchi's appointment was confirmed following a meeting at the Bernabéu today of the club's board of directors. One of Madrid's first significant tests following Sacchi's arrival will be their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie against a Juventus FC side coached by Fabio Capello - the man who succeeded Sacchi as Milan coach.
European Cup winner
Sacchi's greatest successes in football came as coach of Milan with whom he won the Scudetto in 1987/88 and then twice captured the European Champion Clubs' Cup, in successive seasons in 1988/89 and 1989/90. He had been offered the Milan job after club president Silvio Berlusconi called him in summer 1987 after watching Sacchi's then Parma FC side play against the Rossoneri in a Coppa Italia tie.
World Cup final
In November 1991, he replaced Azeglio Vicini as Italy coach and led the Azzurri to the 1994 FIFA World Cup final in the United States, where they lost on penalties against Brazil. After resigning as Italy coach in 1996, Sacchi had a period coaching in Spain with Club Atlético de Madrid, followed by less fruitful spells back at his former clubs Milan and Parma.
Parma role
He resigned as Parma coach in early 2001 after just three games in charge, claiming that he could not handle the stress of his job any longer and subsequently became the club's technical director, a role he has retained until now.
