Real Madrid president to address the media after Barca loss

“Since I arrived in 2000 there have been a lot of coaches and none have ever said that I have suggested anything to them”, he told reporters.

“Rafa Benitez was chosen for his professionalism, for his achievements and for his experience and he has the proven ability to get the best out of this squad which has been in gradual decline since January”, he added.

Goals either side of half-time from Neymar, Andres Iniesta and Luis Suarez (2) gave Barca a comfortable victory at the Santiago Bernabeu and drew the ire of the home fans, who booed their team off the pitch at the final whistle.

“Let him keep working and he will achieve his objectives”.

After the Barcelona loss, many criticized Benitez for starting with a lineup that left the team too exposed.

“I’m coaching Castilla now”.

Perez is six years into his second term as president after resigning after six years the first time round when his Galacticos project of signing the world’s most marketable players was deemed to have failed.

Benitez admitted in the post-match press conference that he was “hurting”, but said he was not anxious about losing his job. Madrid was unbeaten until a defeat to Sevilla two weeks ago, and it easily advanced to the knockout stage of the Champions League with two matches to go.

“They will not be able to do that”, Perez said.

Pressure had been mounting since the defeat – Madrid’s fourth in the last five games against its main rival.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his team-mates were booed after the final whistle and the fans waved white handkerchiefs. “No one should bet on me to become the next [Real Madrid] manager”.

Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that he would like to return to coach Spanish football giants Real Madrid but “not this season”. And there have been a few reports that Fabio Capello, who is now unemployed, could be the next in line.

“The sacking of Benitez only lacks a date because the decision has already been taken after the debacle suffered by Real Madrid against Barcelona in the Bernabeu”, Marca published on Sunday.