Real Madrid President Perez repeats support for under-fire Benitez

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez gave another vote of support to under-fire coach Rafael Benitez on Friday.

Speaking in an interview on Spanish radio station, Cadena Ser, Perez was asked about Benitez's future in the wake of last weekend's defeat away to Villarreal, which leaves Real Madrid five points behind joint league leaders, FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish and French press have speculated that Benitez could lose his job and be replaced by B-team coach, Zinedine Zidane: a possibility Perez ruled out.

"That is not going to happen... Benitez is not the problem at Real Madrid, he is the solution," said Perez.

"We are only thinking about Benitez at the moment," insisted Perez. "He is the coach and the perfect person to solve a problem we have had since January. It has been a horrible year for us and you have to give Benitez time," he insisted.

Nevertheless Perez said he "appreciated Zidane. I admire him and he will be a great coach, but not today," he said.

Thursday saw the shock decision by Chelsea to sack former Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho and although the Portuguese boss divides opinion in Madrid, he did lead the club to their last league title. Perez was asked if Mourinho could return to the club.

"You can never rule anything out in the future, but for the moment, we are only thinking about Benitez," explained the Madrid President, who nevertheless retains, "good memories," of Mourinho.

Perez also said during the interview that he would never resign from the club presidency and that he enjoyed a good relationship with the Real Madrid squad.

Finally when questioned over their elimination from the Kings Cup knockout competition for fielding an ineligible player, he said that if necessary the club would take the matter to court. Endi