Bernd Schuster has broken his silence since his sacking by Real Madrid last month. Just days after agreeing terms over a compo package with Real, the German said: "Of course, there is life after Real Madrid. I am very happy. I had a fantastic Christmas. It was a very good time, without pressure.

"I'm not bored at home.

"I did things my way, with all the enthusiasm in the world. In the end it could not be. I must look to the future.

"Everything was difficult. You cannot relax at all with the players and the press. The whole world talks about Real Madrid. You can tell when you do win matches that there is no happiness, only an expectation for a result that is almost always mandatory. All this makes it very difficult.

"When one goes there, one knows what to expect. That's why I am happy and glad I experienced this."