Rafa Benitez has “full support” of Real Madrid

But the capital club lost 3-2 at Sevilla prior to the recent worldwide break before being embarrassed at the Bernabeu by Barca.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insisted beleaguered boss Rafa Benitez was still his “chosen one” – for now at least, writes Ed Malyon in Madrid.

Zidane served as Ancelotti’s right hand man during his two year tenure, leaving a lasting impression on the three time Champions League winning Italian manager.

“[These are] extending the period of membership required to present a presidential candidature from 10 to 20 years and also what the law says, which is that members of the board of directors will guarantee 15 percent of the expenditure budget”. It’s only a year-and-a-half since they won the Champions League. I am very positive, I have confidence in the team. “We need to get over this result and focus on the next match as soon as possible”.

“Let’s be slow with our judgments because we are just at the beginning”, he said. “Since January we deteriorated, that is obvious”, Perez said, shifting the blame to Carlo Ancelotti, Benitez’s predecessor. “I have no problem with him”.

“And what Florentino is going to do now is listen to fans”.

“With the case of Cristiano, we have said many times there is a strategy for him to go to another club next season”, he said. “That hurts; not the criticism”.

“That is to say: nothing will happen on Wednesday”.

Perez, in his second stint in charge of the club he has transformed into the world’s richest by income, has been blamed for Real’s woes due to a perception he interferes in team selection.

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

Benitez was touted for the sack on Monday, but Perez has moved quickly to confirm he still backs his coach. “The president has shown his responsibility, he is there to help us out, which is positive too”.

“We know what our objectives are”.

Real’s Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who had not conceded a goal at home all season until the Barcelona match, backed his manager and said the players “support our coach whatever they say in the press”. “I agree that we made mistakes, but not that there was a lack of attitude”.