Valdano bails out at Madrid

Jorge Valdano announced his resignation as Real Madrid CF sporting director this evening.

Out with the old
The 48-year-old was brought in as sporting director by club chairman Florentino Pérez not long after his election in July 2000. However, the team's league slump and failure to capture any silverware this season have set the wheels in motion for a major shake-up at the club. Reports are circulating that former coach Vicente Del Bosque may be invited back to look after the reserve team, while José Antonio Camacho replaced Carlos Queiroz as coach on Monday.

Presidential freedom
"I think that it was important to take this decision and move to one side after four years of very intense activity inside the club," Valdano told Real Madrid Television. "It will allow the president, who will soon be beginning a new four-year cycle in charge of the club, to have the freedom to take his own decisions. It seems the healthiest thing to do at the moment.

Valdano loyalty
"I am happy with the club's achievements over the past four years and feel that I have been very loyal both to the person that brought me here and to Real Madrid," Valdano continued. "But these last two months have taken their toll on me and I believe that people should assume their responsibilities and that is one off the reasons why I took this decision."

Election date
The former Argentinian international said his resignation would take effect from 11 June, the day on which Pérez has called an extraordinary general meeting of the club's members. The meeting will approve the details for the election which is expected to be held one month later.