Del Bosque’s new deal put on hold

Real Madrid sports director Jorge Valdano has confirmedthat new contract talks with coach Vicente Del Bosque, have been postponed in the wake of Wedensday’s Champions League defeat to Juventus.

“Real Madrid won’t single out individuals,” said Valdano. “It was a collective failure.’

Attention now focuses on the club’s attempt to win the Spanish domestic title. With five matches remaining, Madrid currently lie 3rd, a point behind joint leaders Deportivo La Coruna and Real Sociedad. Failure to recapture the title they last won in 2001, would undermine Del Bosque’s position, and may even tempt the club to dispense with his services.

“We have to focus totally on the championship,’ added Valdano.

‘We have important matches to come and that’s why contract talks will be put on hold until theend of May or in June.”