Coaching Candidates That Could Succeed Rafael Benitez At Real Madrid

Raphael Varane came off in the first half of Real Madrid's match against Shakhtar DonetskReuters

Real Madrid defender Pepe insists the squad remain behind both coach Rafael Benitez and president Florentino Perez.

An impressive 1-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain preceded a horror show of results that saw Real Madridlose 3-2 to Sevilla and 4-0 to Barcelona in La Liga, while shipping three goals to Shakhtar in the Champions League.

Ronaldo, one of the most expensive players in the world who rakes in about US$80 million dollars a year in salary, bonuses and endorsements, played for the Red Devil until 2009 when he was transferred to Real Madrid for a world record US$134 million.

Meanwhile problems continue to mount up for striker Karim Benzema after Mathieu Valbuena attacked theMadrid striker for his alleged role in an attempted sex-tape blackmail against him.

Spanish media was already discussing Benitez's replacement, and the name atop the list was Zinedine Zidane, the former France great, who is coaching Madrid's "B" team in the third division. "We are playing really well and have the confidence that we can get something positive from the game", Eibar midfielder Adrian Gonzalez told the club's website. Benitez defends himself by pointing to the team's numbers this season.

"I don't want to forget that we are group winners and have won away in the Champions League with four goals scored".

Madrid sit third in the table after 13 games with 27 points, trailing leaders Barcelona by six.Hosts must play without injured Gayoso and Jaime, as well as suspended Keko, while Real Madrid can not count upon Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Isco.

"We have to increase our competitiveness", Benitez said.

"We made mistakes after that with two of the goals we conceded coming from deadballs".

But the Basque club is enjoying an excellent second season in the topflight and is in sixth place with only two losses through 12 rounds.

In front of a capacity 6,000 fans at Ipurua, Madrid did little to dispel the doubts caused by their 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona last weekend but Bale's first-half header and a late penalty from Ronaldo were enough for all three points yesterday.

Ronaldo felt he should have been awarded a penalty after a challenge from David Junca, but referee Jesus Gil waved play on and the Portugal star's frustrating game went on as Lucas sent him running through on goal, but he could only fire into the side netting from a narrow angle.

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