By Myles Palmer
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FLORENTINO PEREZ has put all of Real Madrid’s transfer business on hold.
As you know, manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo has been a dead man walking for several weeks.
Luxemburgo will be replaced. So will his coaches and backroom staff.
Until then, no players will be bought or sold.
Perez wants Arsene Wenger but knows he cannot hire him.
This week, with Ronaldinho becoming European Footballer of the Year just after that 3-0 drubbing in the Bernebeu, represents the death the the galactico era.
To be healthy in future Madrid may need a manager who is bigger than the players.
How many of those are there on this planet?
Big players move on after World Cups and the Real Madrid first team has been allowed to grow old and complacent, with superstars who can never be dropped.
The manager only picks five players and the bench.
The galacticos pick themselves, even when they cannot run.
Zidane and Ronaldo could not run against Barcelona, which was one reason they lost 3-0.
That policy is dumb. It contradicts what football is all about.
It’s a sport, not a circus, not a Hollywood film, not a vehicle for a global marketing machine.
Who will Perez hire to sort this mess out?
Should he quit and let somebody else have a go?
Will this affect their planned purchase of Ashley Cole next summer
December 1st 2005, 12 noon.