Rudiger excited to work with Mourinho at Real Madrid: ‘Even happier to welcome him with us’
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Antonio Rudiger is one of the many Real Madrid players in action at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, and his team kicked off the tournament in grand style as they put seven goals past Curacao.
Rudiger played just 17 minutes on the night and is not expected to be a regular starter for Germany in the ongoing event given the new generation of young defenders rising.
AdvertisementAdvertisementHe will, however, likely be a starter for Real Madrid next season after recently closing a one-year contract renewal with the club. Jose Mourinho and Co. are indeed looking for new signings in the department, but Rudiger remains a central figure.
Rudiger speaks on Real Madrid
Speaking to the media during the ongoing World Cup earlier this week, the Real Madrid defender was asked what he felt about Jose Mourinho’s appointment, especially given how he is finally going to play under the legendary coach after being close on multiple occasions.
“I can’t say too much, but I can say that I’m very excited. I’m finally going to play at his command.”
The new Real Madrid manager. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
“In the past, there were many conversations with him, but for some reason, it never happened. That’s why now I’m even happier to welcome him with us,” he added.
Rudiger then reviewed his contract renewal at the Spanish capital and how he never considered a departure from the club despite struggling for fitness.
“I had a difficult past year, especially physically. I had to struggle a lot with the injuries and I managed to come back.”
“Madrid is practically my home. I feel very good, my family feels very good there, and that’s why I never really thought of anything else. I just wanted to get back in shape and earn my new contract. And I got it,” he added.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe German defender was then asked to review the last two seasons for the club and how they went trophy-less on both occasions.
“The last two years at Real Madrid have been hard. We were unsuccessful,” he began.
“But, if you look at the profile of players we have there, exactly the types of players like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham or Vinicius are the ones who step up in the moments when you need them,” he added.
On new signings and Schlotterbeck
Rudiger was then asked about Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho’s strong mission to sign new defenders this summer and what he made of the sudden urgency.
Schlotterbeck is a target for Real Madrid. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
AdvertisementAdvertisement“First of all, good players are always welcome. I can’t say much more about that.”
When asked about the possibility of his compatriot Nico Schlotterbeck joining the club this summer, Rudiger had nothing but praise for the Borussia Dortmund star.
“I would be very happy, absolutely,” he began.
“Especially in offensive set pieces he was always a danger for the rival. And in the duels he was very intense and very involved,” he added, particularly highlighting Schlotterbeck’s role in Germany’s recent match.
“In addition, in Nico, we must highlight his excellent ball output. Really, his left leg is gold. It must be recognised,” he concluded.
Source: MARCA
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
