De la Red´s heart problem ends career

Spanish international midfielder Ruben de la Red has called an end to his footballing career because of a heart defect, his club Real Madrid announced on Thursday.

De la Red, whose condition was detected after he fainted in a King’s Cup match in October 2008, will continue working at the Spanish giants as a coach.

“I am starting a very exciting stage in my career,” said De la Red, who won Euro 2008 with Spain while playing his club football with Real’s La Liga rivals Getafe.

“I wish to send my support to all those players out there whose careers were also cut short. I am also very grateful to all the people who have supported me since I fainted.

“I’ve fought against this in vain and doctors advised me to stop.”

He added: “Real Madrid have watched me grow since I joined the under-10 side and now they see me retire from the game. I want to become a coach now. I may have a problem with my heart, but it still beats for Real Madrid.”

De la Red, capped three times by Spain, said that Real coach Jose Mourinho had given him his full backing.

“Jose Mourinho was very aware of my situation since day one and he was very clear when he spoke to me,” he said.

“He told me he would count on me if I was able to play, but if that wasn’t the case, he said he would be delighted to have me in his staff.”

Real sporting director Jorge Valdano confirmed that the former player was now “a part of Real Madrid’s coaching staff and will start learning about what we do and how we go about it”.

“He will also be part of Mourinho’s ‘lab’, in which every game is rigorously prepared. The objective is for Ruben to learn skills in order to apply them to whatever team he ends up being assigned to.

“He’s gone through all of the different teams the club has and he will use that experience to continue to be a part of the world of football.”