Real president Florentino Perez to face media after ‘Clasico’ fiasco

MADRID (Reuters) – Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has called a news conference for later on Monday (1830 GMT) to face the media after Saturday’s humiliating 4-0 La Liga defeat at home to Barcelona in the ‘Clasico’.

Real’s drubbing at the hands of their arch rivals prompted angry fans to chant for Perez to step down but the construction magnate is not expected to heed their calls and local media reported he will instead give his backing to under-fire coach Rafa Benitez.

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

Rather than give his coaches a free hand, Perez is believed to instruct them to deploy Real’s marquee signings instead of players who may be in better form or better suited to a particular match scenario.

The last time the fans turned against him in 2006, Perez abruptly quit and he will be desperate to win back their trust.

Barca’s victory on Saturday put them six points clear of Real at the top and Atletico Madrid leapfrogged their city rivals into second thanks to Sunday’s 1-0 win at Real Betis.

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.

The former Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli manager, the 10th Perez has hired, could be replaced by former Real and France great Zinedine Zidane, who is currently in charge of the club’s B team, local media have reported.

Real’s next outing is Wednesday’s Champions League Group A match at Shakhtar Donetsk.

Real are already assured of a place in the last 16 and will look to secure top spot with a win in Ukraine.

(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Justin Palmer)