Portugal: I Do Not Want To Coach Madrid

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Miguel Angel Portugal - Racing Santander

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Los Merengues' technical secretary was one of the names, along with former player Michel, to be tipped to step in should Real Madrid's German coach Bernd Schuster be sacked after a poor run of results.

While the club have denied that Schuster is under such intense pressure, Portugal has insisted that he has no desire to return to coaching after a stint in charge of Racing Santander.

"I am very focussed on my project. I have never put myself forward to be the coach. Do I miss the pressure of being on the bench? I am not a masochist," he told journalists at a meeting in Madrid.

Formerly in charge of the Madrid B team, Portugal was then asked about the club's apparent unwillingness to promote young players from the youth ranks, and he believes that the club need to do more to improve on that.

"When I left Castilla I said that I would be delighted if four or five players stepped up to the first team. The reality with the youth teams is that we prepare them and teach them and the chosen ones go up," he continued.

"There is a confidence generated when the coach has known the youngsters for a long time, like Del Bosque had.

"Schuster knows them, although he does not go to their games, because he is kept informed with reports and videos."

Looking ahead to the winter transfer window, Portugal explained that nobody would make a decision to buy any players without all the relevant people agreeing.

"All acquisitions are made unanimously. I carry out an assignment to list the top five players for each position and if one is needed we will study it," he said.

"When a decision is made, the persident sits down, and has the final say, along with José Ángel Sánchez, the financial director, Pedja Mijatovic and myself.

"To sign any player we all have to agree."

Lucas Brown, Goal.com