DiarioSport says once in February it was decided that Fabio Capello would not continue as coach, several names were discussed by Real's football directors to succeed the Italian.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez and Chelsea's Jose Mourinho were both well-known candidates, however, also on the list was Ramos, now a target for Tottenham, and Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Real sports chief Pedja Mijatovic favoured Scolari, but in the end president Ramon Calderon settled on Getafe trainer Bernd Schuster.