Toni Kroos has formally notified the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) of his intention to pursue a professional coaching license, signaling a potential shift toward a career on the sidelines. After his retirement from professional football in 2024, the former Real Madrid midfielder is taking steps to secure the qualifications necessary to manage at the highest level of the Spanish game, as reported by Foot Mercato and corroborated by several outlets including L’Équipe and Diario AS.
Application for the 2027-2028 Coaching Course
Kroos, 36, has expressed interest in participating in the RFEF’s specialized training program for former professional players, scheduled for the 2027-2028 season. According to Diario AS, this course is limited to twenty spots annually. Successful completion of this curriculum would grant Kroos an ‘A’ coaching license, a credential required to serve as a head coach in Primera División. While the former German international already holds a license that allows him to manage teams up to the third division, the new certification is the essential requirement for leading squads in the top flight of Spanish football.
A Measured Approach to Post-Playing Life
Despite his status as one of the most decorated players in football history—boasting six Champions League titles and a 2014 World Cup victory—Kroos has maintained a deliberate pace regarding his transition into coaching. L’Équipe reports that the midfielder, who made 465 appearances for Real Madrid, intends to proceed “step by step” rather than rushing into a high-pressure role. Since stepping away from the pitch, Kroos has remained in the Madrid area, focusing on his own youth football academy and contributing to his podcast, Einfach mal Luppen, alongside his brother Felix.
Potential Future at the Santiago Bernabéu
Speculation regarding a return to Real Madrid persists, particularly given Kroos’s enduring relationship with club president Florentino Pérez. The club has previously attempted to bring the former player into a new role within the organization, though those efforts have not yet resulted in an official appointment. Historically, Real Madrid has utilized its academy as a proving ground for former stars, with figures like Zinedine Zidane, Xabi Alonso, and Alvaro Arbeloa gaining experience there before transitioning to senior coaching roles. While Kroos is currently focused on obtaining his qualifications, the possibility of a return to his former club remains a subject of public interest, especially as the team competes in La Liga.
Requirements for Professional Management
The distinction between his current credentials and his future goals remains a key detail in his career path. Kroos’s existing license restricts him to working as an assistant coach within the professional ranks. By pursuing the RFEF’s advanced training, he is actively removing those limitations. The transition follows a notable period of change for Real Madrid, which has seen shifts in its competitive standing since the 2024 departure of the midfielder, who ended his career following a Champions League victory and his final appearance at the European Championship.
Status of the Coaching Transition
The RFEF has not released an official roster for the 2027-2028 coaching cohort, and Kroos has not publicly outlined a specific timeline for when he might take charge of a senior team. The next confirmed checkpoint in this process will be the publication of the accepted candidates for the RFEF professional training session and the subsequent completion of the course requirements by the former midfielder.
