According to a report in The Mirror, Rafa Benitez has been fired on Monday. The future of the former Liverpool boss has come under scrutiny in recent weeks and he faced awkward questions about his side drew 2-2 with Gary Neville’s Valencia. Sources suggest that he will be replaced by Real legend Zinedine Zindane. Others also suggest Jose Mourinho, who was fired by Chelsea, could take charge.
Earlier, Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez said he cannot stop people speculating about his position but felt his team deserved praise for the way they battled with 10 men in Sunday's 2-2 La Liga draw at Valencia.
There has been continual talk over recent weeks in the Madrid press about Benitez's job and the coach has been whistled by the Bernabeu crowd for some below-par performances. His side have enjoyed some big wins this season, such as the 10-2 demolition of Rayo Vallecano last month, but most of the criticism has over the way Real have struggled to beat stronger opposition and they were hammered 4-0 at home by Barcelona.
They failed to beat Valencia but did show some quality attacking play and the fighting spirit, especially when Mateo Kovacic was sent off after 68 minutes, that even Benitez concedes has been lacking at times. "It would be wrong to just look at the result as the effort that the players showed deserves plenty of praise," he told a news conference. "We have (won) on many occasions, but this game was against a strong side and with ten players we have battled to the end.
"I cannot prevent people from speculating (about my position) but what I can achieve is that the team works like it has today. It was a massive effort and unfortunately we didn't get the three points." The draw leaves Real in third place with 37 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid on 41 and champions Barcelona, who have 39 with a game in hand. In marked contrast to his reception in the Spanish capital, Benitez was warmly received by fans at his former club Valencia and there was a banner at one end of the Mestalla which said: "Thank you for giving us the best years of our lives".
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