Real's sickroom shake-up

With the season now over, Real Madrid have been making key changes to the team's medical services that have been the centre of much debate this year. The most relevant move has been to bring back the team's doctor from the 2013-14 season, Joaquin Mas, who is presently working at Levante.

'Ximo', as he is known in the world of football, will be the new head of the club's first-team medical services, which will naturally mean that the doctor who presently holds this position and who has come under heavy fire both from the first-team coaches and players, Jesus Olmo, will have to step aside. Olmo may take on a supervisory role, but will not get involved in the day-to-day running of things. This will be Ximo's job, who already knows the players, which is a point in his favour.

It remains to be seen if other staff will be brought in, but what is clear is that certain employees will be shown the door. Although nothing has been officially announced, it looks likely that a doctor, a sports therapist and a physiotherapist will be sacked, these last two after having worked for many years with the first team and who are known and loved by the dressing room. Their absence will be sorely missed and perhaps even resented.

The exit of these professionals, who have helped Real win great things over the last years, will not go down well with the players, who have been witness to far too many changes in the medical staff these last few seasons.