OPEN THREAD — Deserved Break: 30 Apr. 2026

**Word From Author:**

Today we rest.

A Collection of Letters

“I hope one day these words find you.” — **[censored**]

**Writer’s Prelude.** Today’s letter will be a more traditional DT, where we simply evaluate some of the latest Real Madrid news and rumors. We haven’t really spent as much time just in the mix this week so let’s take a minute to look at the potential future.

To Whomever Will Understand,

**Kroos**. Potentially the most positive news that we’ve seen in the past couple of weeks, but it appears that Real Madrid is currently discussing the return of Toni Kroos. Sadly, we won’t be able to convince the football legend to return to the field but as the next best thing Kroos will likely be positioned in a more administrative role where he can assist in opining about the club’s sporting project, recommend new signings, and be a bridge between the business side of Real Madrid and its sporting directive. Personally, I think this is amazing news (some sources posing that this is actually much closer than the Mario argument and quite advanced) as Toni Kroos is exactly the type of leader and voice that our sporting project needs. He’ll likely be direct on the projects gaps. He’ll likely be publicly accountable for the issues in this project. And hopefully he seems to have the character to help deter signings that seem more based in marketing achievements (respectfully — Franco & TAA) than sporting. Additionally, I welcome this news as most reports and sources that I’ve interacted with have acknowledged that Kroos would be a first stepping stone and requirement if Real Madrid wanted any shot at signing Jurgen Klopp. Let’s see what happens in the following days but things look positive on this front. **Coaching Carousel.** I’m not really going to dive into this because there’s just so much contradictory information. The only info that I’ll provide that may be outside the realm of all the reports is that there are truly only 3 candidates: Klopp, Mourinho, and Pochettino. The issues with Klopp is that it’s still unclear on whether he wants to come back to coaching esp coaching a high-intensity situation and team like Real Madrid. **Klopp’s currently enjoying his retired life and quite frankly he doesn’t *need* this job especially if it isn’t on *his own terms*.** But if he does give us a green light — the job is his. Personally, I think he’s holding out as a form of leverage to see if he can extract a bit more authority as he isn’t going to allow the board to “Xabi” him within 6 months. **Mourinho and Pochettino are then pretty foolproof safe options in case the board is rejected by Klopp.** Mourinho will obviously say yes despite some fans and the board being against him and Pochettino would obviously escape the . I’d lean to say Mourinho is a higher rated candidate despite his recent spells (which a lot of you are underplaying, yes he went to non-top tier teams but for the most part he’s been pretty successful at each stint. Benfica is currently undefeated in the league and were 5-5 on aggregate in all of 3 matches). Fenerbache wasn’t great but if you follow the Turkish Super League there is currently a huge fixing scandal. Roma he I believe won the conference league or some trophy..etc etc.) I’d also lean on Mourinho being a higher rated candidate because Pochettino doesn’t really inspire the fandom. And **if there’s one thing our board wants after 2x trophyless seasons it is to sell hope.** **What Are They Saying?** Wrong answers only. Can Franco speak English? Also like Jude I know can speak a little bit of Spanish but idk if he can carry a convo. **Rest Easy GOAT.** We await your return. Cheers, J