Bernd Schuster
Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón confirmed in May 2008 that, along with Granero and Javi García, de la Red would return to the Santiago Bernabéu for 2008–09. It was suggested that the latter could be used in a swap deal involving a number of potential targets, although coach Bernd Schuster stated that he would be willing to give the midfielder a chance to fight for a spot in the squad.