Benitez stays in charge of Real Madrid for now

Pressure is mounting on the president int he wake of a 4-0 defeat to Barcelona this weekend in El Clásico on home ground, and he has called a press conference for Monday evening.

A statement from the club confirmed that Perez, who has drawn criticism in recent weeks for the imbalanced squad created by his Galactico policy, would face the media at 8:30pm United Kingdom time.

Benitez has only been in charge of Madrid since the summer but his future has been the subject of much discussion after a second successive defeat left them six points adrift of Primera Division leaders Barca.

Benitez has a three-year contract with the Spanish giants but should he depart Real Madrid will be searching for their 14th manager in 15 years.

The 43-year-old, who is now in charge of the club’s B side Castilla, said in AS: “Replace Benitez?” “Next season I will return to coaching and I would have no problems returning to Madrid, Chelsea or PSG”. Things are fine at the moment.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been rumoured to have given the club a “it’s me or him” ultimatum following the defeat and if that’s to be true then it looks as though Perez and co could be taking affirmative action.

Benitez, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, may survive for the time being but if results do not quickly improve he is likely to fall on his sword. I’m doing things little by little and I’ve no hurry.

“The important thing is to be happy day to day with what I’m doing, my present is Castilla”.