Following Real Madrid’s 4-0 loss to Barcelona, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez gave his full support to Rafa Benitez in a press conference.
Following their recent loss to Barcelona, Florentino Perez held a press conference to address the rumors that newly appointed head coach Rafa Benitez would be given the axe. He has come under intense scrutiny by the Real Madrid fans, who after the loss on Saturday waved white handkerchiefs.
Real Madrid reporter Dermot Corrigan was on-hand and live-tweeted the press conference. Here is a summary of the most important quotes that were captured:
"We want to communicate that Rafa Benitez has all our support and confidence. Rafa has just started his job here, let him keep working, and he will achieve his objective…We offer full support for our coach who will be capable of turning this situation around – which comes from last January. Rafa has full powers, nobody suggests him anything. I’ve been here since 2000…Since January, we have suffered a deterioration in team, that is obvious. We chose Rafa with confidence he could turn it around. I talk about this moment, cannot say what will happen in future, nobody knows what’ll happen in six months…Report that I ate with PSG president and [Jorge Mendes] last Thursday in Madrid is not true. To destabilise club. Never has Ronaldo said to be “with this coach we’ll win nothing.” Cristiano never said anything like that, he is a good guy…Don’t listen to those making up lies. Rafa has good relationship with the players, with the board, and me in particular."
Perez clearly went to great lengths to defend Rafa Benitez. He hasn’t hesitated to fire Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti in the past for underperforming, but it seems pretty crazy to think that a coach would be sacked after joining the team in August.
Regardless, Real Madrid have struggled noticeably this season, and it was on full display in last Saturday’s El Clasico. For Barcelona, it was as dominant a victory as their 5-0 win under Pep Guardiola in 2010, or in 2005 when Ronaldinho got a standing ovation at the Bernabeu when he scored all three goals – similarly, the Real Madrid fans gave Iniesta a standing ovation when he was subbed off.
Madrid’s league form has dipped considerably, and they now find themselves in third place – 2 points behind Atletico Madrid and 6 points behind league leaders Barcelona. Benitez has been given time to turn the season around, but his margin for error is getting smaller, and despite what Perez said, his days are likely numbered.