Real Madrid restructure football management

World Club contenders Real Madrid have announced a reorganisation of the club as they prepare for the Brazil tournament next week.

Real have made Jose Martinez Pirri their new general manager after failing last week to persuade Jorge Valdano to return to the club and take the position that puts the new executive in charge of football affairs at the giant Spanish club. Real have now split the commercial and football functions of their operation completely into two sections from board level to first team management.

Pirri has worked for Real in a variety of positions since 1964 and is a former technicla director at the club and well known and liked in Spanish football circles. He is now the immediate boss of caretaker first team coach Vicente del Bosque but his most important task will be to find and work with del Bosque's permanent replacement when Real finally decide on their choice of new leader.

Real may have to fight a court battle with the John Toshack after the coach - fired by Real in November - lost a claim in front of the Spanish League's management committee for unfair dismissal. Two-time Real coach Toshack is claiming a £540,000 payment for unfair dismissal from the club and now has to take his case into the Spanish courts if he is to pursue his claim.