Real’s New Boss Must Build Team Around CR7 As Striker

Whoever takes over as Real Madrid must build his team around Cristiano Ronaldo as a striker, according to Spanish experts Terry Gibson and Guillem Balague.

Real, who sacked Carlo Ancelotti on Monday, will need to make sure they get a manager that will make the Portuguese star the focal point of their attack next season.

Gibson believes Ronaldo must be used as a striker next season, and also thinks he will excel if he didn’t have any defensive responsibilities.

“Any manager of any team in the world would love a striker that guarantees you 50 goals a season,” he told Sky Sports.

"For the next manager, Ronaldo should be a centre forward and a team should be built around him.

"He’d be free of any defensive responsibility. He plays as a centre forward now but is addressed as a left sided attacker. That’s an issue for the new a manager."

Balague agrees with Gibson, but thinks moulding the team around Ronaldo is a two-way street and the new boss must ensure those around Ronaldo are comfortable with their position.

"It’s a crucial moment in the story of Cristiano Ronaldo. He realised his body has limits and he’s dealing with it by getting 20 metres closer to the box,” he said

"He’s a number nine and he’s a very good number nine. Get somebody else on the left and get a manager that tells him this is your role now and allow (Gareth) Bale perhaps to have the freedom to play around him and to grow as well.

"We’ve pointed it out for weeks, it’s not about what Ronaldo does, it is what he allows others to do as well.

"To see Bale flourish we need Ronaldo to step back a little bit."

The Portuguese picked up the La Liga top goalscorer crown with 48 goals, but Real fell short by two points in the title race.

Do you think Ronaldo should play as Real’s centre-forward next season? Have your say in the comments section below.