From Toni Kroos extension to Rafa Benitez return: 10 things we learned in La Liga

As we prepare for yet another season in 2023-24, major things have started to happen across Spain, and Madrid has been at the heart of that. Despite the season is yet to start, we are already witnessing swift moves from clubs and also the dates for the next season as fixtures were announced.

Here are the Ten things we learned from La Liga this week-

The 2023-24 La Liga calendar has been set

On Thursday afternoon, the 2023-24 calendar for Spanish football’s top division was drawn, so we now know the order of each team’s fixtures for the coming season. There are blockbuster matches worth marking in the diary, from Athletic Club vs Real Madrid in Matchday 1 to Sevilla FC vs FC Barcelona in Matchday 38.

The next El Clasico in October

With the reveal of the 2023-24 calendar, fans can also start planning for the big derby and rivalry matches of La Liga. That includes El Clasico, with the next showdown between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid to take place on October 29. The first tie of the new season will be at Camp Nou, Barcelona.

Rafa Benítez is back in La Liga

Celta de Vigo announced this week that they have an agreement in principle for Rafa Benítez to take over as coach of the club on a three-year contract. Benítez is returning to a competition that he has won on two occasions, as he was in charge of the Valencia CF sides that won La Liga in 2001=02 and 2003-04.

José Bordalás is staying at Getafe CF

After taking over the Getafe CF dugout at the end of last season, helping Los Azulones to stay up, José Bordalás has committed his future to the club. He has signed a new contract to stay at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez until the summer of 2025.

Nemanja Gudelj and Sevilla FC have more history to write

One of the most important players at Sevilla FC last season was Nemanja Gudelj, who played more minutes than anyone else. As such, it’s great news for the Andalusian club that the Serbian has penned a contract extension, with his new deal running until 2026. The 31-year-old has already won two Europa League titles at the club and has more history to write at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

Víctor Orta is the new Sevilla FC sporting director

Sevilla FC also named a new sorting director this week, as Victor Orta will bring his wealth of experience to the Andalusian club. This is Orta’s second spell at the team, having held the position of technical director between 2006 and 2013. He later worked in England and achieved success with Leeds United, and now returns to his native Spain.

Joselu returns to Real Madrid

Following an impressive 2022/23 campaign, in which he won the Zarra Trophy as the top-scoring Spaniard in La Liga Santander, Joselu has completed a loan move from RCD Espanyol to Real Madrid. The Spain international has returned to a club he played for at the beginning of his career, as he was with Castilla between 2010 and 2012.

Real Madrid finalize multiple contract extensions

It was a particularly busy week at Real Madrid, as Los Blancos also finalised three contract extensions. Centre-back Nacho has renewed until 2024, midfielder Toni Kroos has also renewed for one year until 2024 and midfielder Dani Ceballos has committed to the club until 2027.

LEGENDS has been officially opened

This past week saw LEGENDS, The Home of Football presented by La Liga, officially unveiled. Several football legends and important figures from the sport attended the event in Madrid for the official opening of this new seven-storey football space and museum.

We now know all 42 LaLiga teams for 2023/24

On Sunday night, CD Eldense became the 42nd and final team to confirm their place in the top two divisions of Spanish football for 2023/24. They secured promotion to the second tier through the Primera Federación playoffs, as did AD Alcorcón. Those two clubs join Racing Ferrol and SD Amorebieta in coming up, after they’d won promotion through their league positions.

(with inputs from agency)