Calderón calls time on Madrid reign
Friday, January 16, 2009
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The 57-year-old Ramón Calderón has confirmed his resignation as president of Real Madrid CF after two and a half years in charge of the Spanish champions, who won successive Liga titles during his tenure.
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Ramón Calderón has confirmed his resignation as president of Real Madrid CF after two and a half years in charge of the Spanish champions.
League titles
Calderón steps down to allow vice-president Vicente Boluda to oversee the running of the club until presidential elections can be held in the summer. Under Calderón's leadership, the capital side ended a three-year barren spell by winning successive Spanish Liga titles in 2007 and 2008, also adding a Spanish Super Cup last summer. The 57-year-old also presided over three coaches during his time in office, appointing Fabio Capello shortly after his election before replacing the Italian with Bernd Schuster in summer 2007. With Madrid off the pace in the Liga, the German made way for Juande Ramos last month.
Squad overhaul
Along with sporting director Predrag Mijatović, Calderón was responsible for restructuring the Madrid squad, bringing in a number of high-profile internationals during his tenure, including Fabio Cannavaro, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Gonzalo Higuaín, Fernando Gago, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Klaas Jan Huntelaar. There were also big-name departures, however, as the pair overhauled the playing staff, with David Beckham, Roberto Carlos and Robinho among those leaving the Santiago Bernabéu.
