Rafa Benitez reportedly retains the support of Real Madrid President Florentino Perez but even he is having doubts about the Coach’s position.
AS goes so far as to suggest Benitez is more likely to become the 11th trainer to be let go under Perez than win the 11th European Cup, with the players no longer trusting in his methods.
Marca says, meanwhile, that there are people close to Perez advising that Benitez be dismissed, arguing that this is already a lost season and something needs to change.
Perez insisted in November, after Madrid were routed at Santiago Bernabeu by Barcelona, that Benitez retained the full support of the club but both publications suggest that is no longer the case.
There’s a concern in Perez’s office, however, that the anti-Perez chants that punctuated the Clasico defeat could return if Madrid struggle at home in the Champions League against Roma.
Perez could make a change before the February tie with the Italians, to prevent the uncertainty over Benitez effecting Madrid’s Champions League future.
AS also hints that the number of injuries suffered by Madrid under Benitez is as a result of the players not responding well to Benitez’s training sessions.
Marca note that Benitez is aware that he is losing support at the club and is, as a result, becoming closer to his coaching staff, and is also unhappy at his treatment by the Press.
Perez for the first time began to question Benitez’s position after the first half in Villarreal, Marca continue, and AS say that defeat at El Madrigal has put Benitez in an ‘extreme situation.’
