Real Madrid are ready to offer coach Vicente Del Bosque a two-year contract extension.

Del Bosque, recently named as the world’s top coach by a German-based statisticians’ association, took over originally as caretaker after the departure of Welshman John Toshack in November 1999.

He guided Madrid to Champions League success both that season and again last term and emerged from the pressure of the club’s centenary year with the World Club Cup and European Supercup also to his credit.

Some uncertainty about the low-key Del Bosque’s continuance has coach had arisen after Madrid’s faltering form in defence of the Champions League crown.

However, recent results have suggested that he is still the right man to find the answer to the complicated team selection equation posed by so many superstars.

President Florentino Perez and sports director Jorge Valdano have yet to confirm the contract offer but sources close to the club management say it is only a matter of days.
By Keir Radnedge