Rafael Benitez’s future at Real Madrid is under threat following Saturday’s crushing 4-0 home defeat by Barcelona.
Chants for Benitez to be dismissed echoed around the Bernabeu following the game, accompanied by similar complaints against long-standing club president Florentino Perez.
Former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Benitez is expected to remain in his post for the time being, but forthcoming trips to Shakhtar Donetsk (in the Champions League on Wednesday) and Eibar (in La Liga on Sunday) could prove decisive.
Saturday’s heavy defeat was not the first time that Benitez’s tactical approach has been questioned this season.
He was heavily criticised for adopting negative tactics in the 1-1 derby draw against Atletico Madrid last month, while a ragged performance in a 3-2 loss at Sevilla a fortnight ago was similarly scorned by fans and media.
After controversially replacing the popular Carlo Ancelotti in the summer, Benitez has been accused of failing to develop good relationships with his key players.
An article in Monday’s Marca newspaper claims the Real squad has lost all faith in Benitez.
Another report says players have taken to privately mocking their manager over his modest playing career and supposedly incomprehensible tactical instructions.
They call him ‘number 10’, which is traditionally the intelligent playmaker who can read the game and see the spaces, things they do not think Benitez can do.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s relationship with the coach is under particular scrutiny, with reports after Saturday’s game claiming the Portuguese forward has told Perez he wants to leave unless Benitez is sacked.
Like Ronaldo, Gareth Bale has been linked to Manchester United following a mixed start to the season, while Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez, Isco and Karim Benzema are also thought to be unhappy with their manager.
One consolation for Benitez is that much of the post-match criticism has focused on Perez, who has been accused by fans of meddling in team selection and constructing an imbalanced squad with his ‘Galacticos’ transfer policy.
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