It’s claimed that the only real certainty in Rafa Benitez’s situation is that he won’t resign from Real Madrid and it hasn’t even been raised as an option.
If Perez wants Benitez out, Marca claim, he will have to sack him and pay the ensuing costs since he is on a three-year contract and has no agreement elsewhere.
Benitez is currently in Liverpool for Christmas, his family having stayed in England after his lengthy spell in charge at Anfield.
He is working as normal, and has put together two training plans for next month – one for if Madrid are reinstated to the Copa del Rey, and one for if they aren’t.
Benitez remains sure his work with the team will reap rewards and will be back in Madrid to take training after Christmas, from December 27.
The former Napoli boss is concerned about his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo and it’s felt that having a sporting director in place would have helped avoid the rows with the squad.
A sporting director could have intervened or heard the players’ complaints, and had the power to make decisions, so Benitez would avoid making choices unpopular with the players.
Benitez has had issues with James Rodriguez, Jese, Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Isco, Karim Benzema, Marcelo and others, Marca note, and they could have been avoided.
He lacks the support of a number of big personalities in the Madrid locker room but does have some names on his side – Luka Modric, Pepe, Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale and Benzema, who could help sway the rest.
Benitez may only have seven days left, though, as Madrid play Real Sociedad on December 30 and while it’s said he will be in charge for that game, the result – if it is considered a ‘sporting debacle’ – could decide his future.
