Real Madrid legend, Zinedine Zidane has thrown his support behind the team’s coach, Rafa Benitez, stating that the manager was doing a “terrific” job.
Recent rumours making the rounds have continued to link Zidane, who is coach of Real Madrid Castilla, to the top job because of what is believed to be the under-performance of Benitez.
Under-par results including a 4-0 bashing at the hands of bitter rivals, Barcelona and a 1-0 loss in their last league game against Villarreal have continued to raise doubts about the 55-year-old Spaniard’s future at Los Blancos.
Recall that one of Barcelona’s most successful coaches, Pep Guardiola, who is now coach of Bayern Munich, was the manager of the Barcelona B team before he was promoted to the top job, where he won 14 trophies in four years.
However, Zidane, 43, in a statement expressing his support for Benitez, said: “What I can say is that the Real Madrid coach is doing a terrific job. Everyone piles in to criticise when you lose one or two games, but we’re used to that. I’m only thinking about Castilla and the reserves. That’s the way it’s going to remain until the end of the season.”
Also, the club’s president, Florentino Perez, has expressed the decision of the board to keep faith in Benitez’s ability to turn things around at the club, dispelling rumours of a second stint for former manager, Jose Mourinho, who was sacked on Thursday by Chelsea.