Bernd Schuster, the former German international, has been appointed the coach of Spanish champions Real Madrid. The 48-year-old, who has coached Getafe for the last two seasons, replaces Fabio Capello, who was sacked at the end of June after leading the club to their first league title in four years.

Florent Malouda, the French midfielder who has joined Chelsea, claimed former team-mate Didier Drogba used his influence to persuade the London club to buy him. Malouda, a former Olympique Lyon club player, and Drogba once played together for French side Guingamp before moving on to more prestigious clubs.