Real Madrid legend rules out coaching career post retirement – ‘Don’t want to go back to this life’ | OneFootball

Toni Kroos’ name has often come up in discussions amid Real Madrid’s poor run of form right now, with many believing that the team is feeling the absence of the German midfielder this season.

Kroos retired from professional football earlier in the summer, following the end of the European Championship.

In a recent interview with Mundo Deportivo, Kroos reflected on his retirement, life in Madrid and even answered questions regarding his future as a coach.

Kroos on his retirement

Toni Kroos does not regret retirement. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

“I don’t regret retiring at all, although the welcome and affection from the fans was incredible. I didn’t expect it at all,” Kroos said on his retirement decision.

“That shows that my 10 years in Madrid were a good time that won’t be easily forgotten. I meant something to the Madrid fans and that is emotionally more important than any title,” the midfielder added.

Kroos played for Real Madrid for 10 years, during which he made as many as 465 competitive appearances.

The German was a key catalyst behind the team’s success in the last ten years, with the midfielder bagging five Champions League titles with the club.

Living in Madrid

Despite retiring from football, Kroos has not given up on his life in Madrid and has even confirmed that he wishes to stay in the Spanish capital.

“The plan for the coming years is very clear: our main residence is and will remain Madrid. But there will always be some phases of the year, during the summer or Christmas holidays, when we will go to Germany,” he said.

Kroos is enjoying his post-retirement life (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

“All family members feel very comfortable in Madrid. Our children go to school here, they have their hobbies here, we have a great circle of friends here. There is no reason for us to give it all up after ten years,” he added.

Kroos went on to elucidate more on his personal life and how retirement has helped him spend more time with his family.

“The good thing for the whole family is that we see each other a lot more because I don’t have to be away so often.

“As a Real Madrid player, I used to be away from home three or four days a week. Now we finally have that real family feeling on a regular basis. I think everyone likes it that way and I’m not offending anyone. I hope this continues for a long time,” he said.

Academy in Madrid

Kroos also shed light on his newly-opened football academy in Madrid, which gathers talents playing within the Madrid-based leagues.

“It’s a project I really enjoy. Since we started a month and a half ago, I’ve been on the pitch almost every day and made sure that we bring our own philosophy to the teams and that the kids improve their game,” he said.

Toni Kroos still lives in Madrid. (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)

“We provide youth teams that play in the Madrid leagues. It’s a nice feeling when 220 kids from 16 teams run around wearing your shirt. This is what gives me great satisfaction. I followed all these steps myself. Now I’m the President,” he added.

Talking about his role in running the academy, Kroos offered detailed insights as to how he operates on a daily basis.

“In the mornings I create or review the coaches’ training plans. I would like to dictate to a certain extent what will be trained. Training takes place in the afternoon when the children come home from school.

“Then I watch the implementation on the pitch. On Saturdays, I travel around Madrid and watch three or four games of my teams. I used to go to the Bernabéu stadium and play football; now I watch my boys,” he said.

Kroos on his coaching future

Finally, Kroos was asked whether or not he would consider starting his own coaching career anytime soon. The German, though, confirmed he is not interested in coaching, at least for the next ten years.

“Not at the moment. I can’t say whether things will change in ten years.

“But I don’t want to quickly return to a rhythm that I have consciously abandoned: being busy from morning to night, travelling a lot, sleeping in hotels – that’s what has tired me out over the years.

“I don’t want to go back to this life right away. Although I think I would bring something to the job of a coach,” he concluded.