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New coach takes stage without Real Madrid's lead actors
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-06 08:39
ATHENS, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Juan Ramon Lopez Caro stepped up to the big stage
on Monday when he made his first public appearance as Real Madrid's caretaker
coach.
"I am not used to speaking to crowds," he said nervously.
"I will certainly be doing my best as a coach but speaking at press
conferences is not one of my strong points."
Lopez Caro, promoted from the 'B' team to become Real's sixth coach in two
and a half years after Brazilian Vanderlei Luxemburgo was sacked on Sunday, said
his first priority was Tuesday's final Champions League Group F match at
Olympiakos Piraeus.
"Our aim is to win and to play good football," said Lopez Caro.
There is little doubt that, with Real already qualified and Olympiakos having
no chance of making third spot in the group, the focus of the game will be on
how the caretaker deals with the increased pressure.
"If Caro can convey his philosophy to the players, the results will follow
and he will go down as a great coach," said Real midfielder Julio Baptista.
"Luxemburgo was a good coach but the results didn't come and he was
replaced."
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