Del Bosque: Real Madrid treatment of Ronaldo, Beckham root of problems

Vicente del Bosque says Real Madrid's crisis was sparked by their treatment of Ronaldo and David Beckham.

Del Bosque, a candidate to succeed Fabio Capello, said: "To sell Ronaldo and leave Beckham out of the team was the wrong thing to do halfway through the season and has caused a crisis from within. This has harmed the team more than benefited it."

"The situation is delicate, not only because of the lower standard of players that are there, but also by the image that Madrid always has had when dismissing its stars."

"The instability at board level has also hurt, because even though the team is alive in the Liga and Champions League, people are unhappy with what is going on at the club."

Del Bosque refused to say if he would be happy to return to Real if offered the chance, though did admit to a warmer relationship with the current board.