Title triumph gives Real president food for thought

While Real Madrid's players nurse their hangovers after Sunday's celebrations, club president Ramon Calderon has a headache of his own following his side's title triumph.

After Real's last-gasp draw against Real Zaragoza a week ago, Calderon raced down to the pitch to do a lap of honour in front of the travelling fans.

On Sunday, however, he kept a low profile while the players he had criticised earlier this season for being "vain and egotistical" celebrated the club's first title in four years.

The first decision that will be vexing the Real Madrid supremo will be the future of coach Fabio Capello.

The Italian was appointed specifically to ensure that Real got back to winning ways after four years in the wilderness and he did just that.

But since February, when the side looked to have blown its chances of winning a trophy, the club has been dropping hints that Capello would leave at the end of the season.

Reports were leaked to the press that the club had lined up Getafe coach Bernd Schuster to take charge next season and Calderon has been surprisingly lukewarm in his support of Capello.

After biting his lip throughout the season, Capello finally vented his frustration at the lack of backing he has been given by the club.

"From the very first day I've been labelled as a defensive coach and the criticisms haven't stopped," said the Italian. "I haven't felt very well supported by Calderon."

The Real president made it clear that he had not yet made his mind up about whether to keep faith with Capello, who still has two years left on his contract.

While Capello's future is in the balance, so is that of a host of players who helped the club to their 30th league title.

Jose Antonio Reyes, the unlikely hero of the night with his second half double in the 3-1 victory over Real Mallorca, was strongly tipped to leave the club after failing to convince during his season-long loan spell from Arsenal.

But the 23-year-old remained hopeful that his performance might persuade prompt a change of heart.

"The truth is I haven't been given the chances I would have liked in the second half of the season, but I scored two goals and I hope they will serve to keep me at the club."

Defender Michel Salgado, who has also fallen out of favour this season and was one of Real's stand-out players on Sunday, also sent out a clear message to Calderon.

"I've proved that I will give everything for this club until I can't give anything more," said the 31-year-old.

"I represent the old guard at this club. We've had to take the criticism and stay calm throughout."

"We are all under contract and we want to stay and now are future is a problem for the club."

As well as deciding what to do with Capello and players like Reyes, Salgado and Ivan Helguera, Calderon will also have to give serious thought as to how to deal with the departures of David Beckham and Roberto Carlos.

The league triumph will have gone down well with Real's title-hungry fans, but it has also given Calderon plenty of food for thought.