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,
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.
[STORY: Perez will not quit after 'Clasico' fiasco]
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.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez (R) presents new coach Rafa Benitez (L) - 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.
Ronaldo
and Gareth Bale look dejected after Luis Suarez scored the fourth goal
for BarcelonaReuters / Paul HannaLivepic - Reuters
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.
Real
Madrid's President Florentino Perez gestures during a news conference
at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, November 23, 2015. -
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."
[REACTION: Benitez laments painful result, while Suarez offers his sympathy]
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