Real Madrid: Florentino Perez says Rafael Benitez will stay as head
coach despite the pressure intensifying following their Clasico defeat.
Real Madrid president Florentino
Perez has confirmed head coach Rafael Benitez retains his backing
following the humbling 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico.
Two
goals from Luis Suarez, along with strikes from Neymar and Andres
Iniesta, condemned Madrid to a shock loss at the Santiago Bernabeu on
Saturday.
During the match, the home fans were quick to demonstrate their dissatisfaction by booing and waving white handkerchiefs.
That
result piled the pressure on Benitez, who has already faced criticism
for his seemingly conservative tactical approach and been forced to
repel probing questions about his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Perez,
though, insisted the former Liverpool boss can rely on his continued
support, calling him "the chosen one" despite the team sitting third in
La Liga, six points behind leaders Barca after 12 matches.
However,
the president did stress that this support was not necessarily
timeless, after previous coaches Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti were
eventually dismissed having similarly received public backing.
"We want to communicate that Rafa Benitez has all our support and confidence," said the Madrid president at a media conference.
"We
have had a board meeting and analysed the sporting situation at Real
Madrid. Rafa has all the ability and has only just started his job here,
let him keep working and he will achieve his objectives.
"I
am talking about this moment we are in now, I cannot say what will
happen in the future - nobody knows what could happen in six months.
"Rafael
Benitez is the chosen one to bring success to this squad that since
January has struggled and now more than ever he needs the support of all
of our followers.
"We offer full support for our
coach who will be capable of turning this situation around. The team
has suffered a deterioration since January.
"I
understand the unhappiness and the anger of the fanbase with what
happened on Saturday, but I ask them that they support the team.
"We are convinced that we have a great squad that will give much happiness to a fanbase that deserves everything.
"We chose Rafa with confidence he could turn it around."
Perez
also discussed the criticism of his own position, insisting he does not
influence team selection and dismissing talk of a presidential
election.
He continued: "No coach has ever said
that I have suggested anything to them since I have been here - the
coach has full autonomy and plenty of power.
"Is there a campaign against me? I believe there is, you believe there is and so does everyone else here.
"The board of directors has not said not even one word about elections."
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