Luxemburgo installed at Madrid

Wanderley Luxemburgo was appointed as Real Madrid’s third coach of the season today – and immediately outlined his determination to turn around the club’s faltering season.

Former Brazil coach Luxemburgo has signed an 18-month contract at the Bernabeu after being identified as the best man to replace Mariano Garcia Remon, who spent just three months in charge.

Garcia Remon, who succeeded Jose Antonio Camacho three weeks into the season, will stay at the club, however, and work under newly-appointed sporting director Arrigo Sacchi.

The reshuffle is designed to invigorate a Madrid side which has lacked direction in recent months and has fallen 13 points behind leaders and bitter rivals Barcelona.

At the head of the new formation is Luxemburgo, who will be charged with getting more out of Madrid’s star-studded squad.

He said: “The contract was sorted out very quickly. In 24 hours, everything was done.

“I am delighted to have arrived at such a prestigious club. It is a lot of responsibility but I have no fear.

“That is why I have now made this move to sign for Real Madrid.

“I feel that I am prepared for this challenge. For me there are four factors that are needed to play good football: discipline, unity, hard work and professionalism.

“With the players’ quality and with the help of the club, we will form a team so that Madrid can claim trophies in all competitions.”

Luxemburgo arrives with an impressive CV, having won the Brazilian championship a record five times with four different clubs: Palmeiras in 1993 and 1994, Corinthians in 1998, Cruzeiro in 2003 and Santos this year.

He also coached Brazil between 1998 and 2000 and led the side to the 1999 Copa America.

Luxemburgo, 52, is expected to deliver similar success at Madrid but warned the club’s fans that it would take time for him to make his mark.

“I have come here to win. I cannot say any different but I cannot promise titles,” he added.

“What I can do is to work very hard in the Primera Liga and the Champions League in order to bring them to Real Madrid.

“The players have to make sacrifices and our priority right now is to form a unity between the players and the club.

“I am a professional but not a taskmaster. I will speak to all my players to see what the situation is and try and resolve what problems there are.”

Madrid vice-president Emilio Butragueno said: “Wanderley is the best coach to bring us out of this difficult situation. We need a change and a new chapter began when Arrigo Sacchi arrived and we believe it is now complete with the arrival of Wanderley.

“We want to thank Mariano Garcia Remon for his loyalty and hard work during his time in charge. This has not been an easy decision but myself and Sacchi believe this was the best choice.”

Luxemburgo’s first competitive fixture will come when Madrid play out the remainder of their game against Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu on January 5.

The first game was postponed with seven minutes to play due to a bomb scare.

It is an unusual situation for Luxemburgo, as he admitted.

“It is the first time for me and for others. We will have to prepare well for this game,” he said.

Luxemburgo’s arrival will boost the Brazilian players at the Bernabeu with Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos having both worked under him during his spell in charge of the national team.

And Roberto Carlos is in full support of his arrival in the Spanish capital.

“Luxemburgo is the best coach for Real Madrid. You will see that in training and in matches,” the full-back said.

“Wanderley is going to bring true football to Real Madrid.”

Roberto Carlos also had words of praise for Garcia Remon. He added: “Garcia Remon took the job on and did very well. He is a first-class coach but the president has made the decision and we have to accept it.”