Real Madrid president Florentino Perez gives Rafael Benitez his full support...for now
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Updated 24/11/2015 at 08:52 GMT
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has given Rafael Benitez a vote of confidence after the humiliating 4-0 drubbing by bitter foes Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday,
Real Madrid's coach Rafael Benitez looks on prior to the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on October 4, 2015
Image credit: AFP
The former Valencia, Liverpool, Inter and Chelsea manager was already under intense pressure prior to the Clasico due to some dubious performances, but embarrassing goings on against the Catalan side, with several home players looking unfit and unprepared for the match, turned his woes into a full-blown crisis.
It was touted that the nature of the beating could cost Benitez his job with Real Madrid's board of directors meeting on Monday before president Perez addressed the media later in the day regarding his position.
Despite the anger of the Real Madrid support following the dismantling by their fierce rivals that saw the Spanish and European champions Barcelona move six point clear of third-placed Madrid at the summit of Liga, Perez said the board were in no mood to dismiss the head coach three months into the season.
But he also added the caveat that the mood of the board could change if performances and results did not improve under the 55-year-old who signed a three-year contract when he succeeded Carlo Ancelotti.
”We have had a board meeting and analysed the sporting situation at Real Madrid," said Perez to a packed media conference.
“Rafa has all our support and all our confidence.
“Rafa Benitez has all the ability and has only just started his job here.
“Let him keep working and he will achieve his objectives.
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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez (R) presents new coach Rafa Benitez (L)
Image credit: Reuters
"We are convinced that we have a great squad that will give much happiness to a fanbase that deserves everything.
"I understand the unhappiness and the anger of the fanbase with what happened on Saturday, but I ask them that they support the team."
Adding the feeling that the vote of confidence was not a ringing endorsement of Madrid's malaise, he continued: "I’m talking about this moment we are in now, I can not say what will happen in the future, nobody knows what could happen in six months."
In an obvious criticism of previous coach Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked to make way for Benitez during the close season, Perez described Benitez as the "chosen one" to right what he views as the wrongs of the squad under the Italian, who led Madrid to the Champions League and 'La Decima' in 2014 but failed to win a trophy last season.
"Rafael Benitez is the chosen one to bring success to this squad that since January has struggled," said Perez.
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Ronaldo and Gareth Bale look dejected after Luis Suarez scored the fourth goal for BarcelonaReuters / Paul HannaLivepic
Image credit: Reuters
"Now more than ever he needs the support of all of our followers. Since January this team has deteriorated, that much is obvious. We chose Rafa with the confidence he could turn it round because he works non-stop day and night."
Perez gave Ancelotti his support two months before he dismissed the former AC Milan coach.
He denied claims that Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo said Real Madrid would win nothing under Benitez, or that he met with PSG and agent Jorge Mendes to discuss the possible departure of the multiple Ballon d'Or winner.
"I don’t know if you are capable of being sure that you’re going to still be working where you work in a few weeks’ time," said Perez.
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Real Madrid's President Florentino Perez gestures during a news conference at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, November 23, 2015.
Image credit: Reuters
"I believe sincerely that there are people who lie in order to damage Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo has never said anything about anyone. He has never said to me that with Rafa Benitez we aren’t going to win anything.
"The report that I had dinner with PSG president and Jorge Mendes last Thursday in Madrid is not true. It was an attempt to destabilise the club. The players support this coach and the board of directors too.
"From this point onwards, I am not going to allow people to keep lying in order to destabilise the club."
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