Rafael Benitez receives support from Arsene Wenger,Jose Mourinho, Michel and Luis Enrique

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has given his full backing to under-fire manager Rafa Benitez

Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez has received the backing of fellow managers Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Michel and Luis Enrique to retain his current job, as per reports on ESPN. Benitez’s position at the club came under threat after his side suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to rivals Barcelona in last Saturday’s El Clasico.

The 55-year-old succeeded Carlo Ancelotti as Los Blancos’ head coach in the summer after the latter failed to land trophies at the Spanish capital in his second season with the club. Benitez has come under enormous pressure following his side’s defeat to the Spanish champions on Saturday and reports suggesting his poor working relationships with crucial players like Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Many experts and especially the Santiago Bernabeu faithful had called for his head, but Madrid president Florentino Perez called a news conference on Monday to give his full ‘support and trust’ during this difficult period, but he had admitted that ‘he’s not sure about the future and does not know what will happen in six month’s time.’

Los Blancos Castilla coach Zinedine Zidane had been tipped to be the successor if Benitez was to be given the sack in the near future, but the France legend had played down his interest at the weekend.

Marseille coach Michel, who was a former player at the Bernabeu, has been reported to be among the candidates to replace the Spanish coach. However, he has refused to discuss the matter at this stage.

“It seems to me a lack of respect to speak of the possibility that Zidane could be Real Madrid coach, with Benitez there,” he said.

“It is a bad way to talk about a Real Madrid coach, which is Benitez, and I hope he remains in the job for a long time yet.”

Benitez is a great coach: Enrique

Barca coach Luis Enrique, on the other hand, also believes Benitez will retain his job given his past achievements with various clubs like Liverpool, Inter Milan, Valencia, Chelsea and Napoli.

“All these [negative] comments are more for journalists than professionals [in the game]," Enrique told prior to the Champions League match against AS Roma.

“We fellow professionals respect each other a lot. Obviously we do not always want things to go well for our rivals.”

“Only one team can win La Liga, only one can win the Champions League and only one can win the Copa del Rey, and everyone looks for their own objectives.”

“Rafa Benitez is a great coach. Nobody doubts that. He is a proven coach who has won many trophies and has years of experience to back him up. He has his own way of doing things, and has shown what he can do."

I completely support Benitez: Wenger

Mourinho, who was also in-charge of the Galacticos for three seasons, has had regular clashes with Benitez in the past, but he has stated that he took no please in Saturday’s Clasico result.

“In this moment, I see so many people speaking especially about the clubs in trouble,” Mourinho said.

“It's amazing the lack of respect and ethics.”

“If I speak about Real Madrid, I speak when they are winning. Not when they are losing. So, from me, words about the Clasico? Zero.”

“I don't enjoy other people losing matches. I enjoy my club winning matches. I don't smile with defeats for other teams. I smile with my victories.”

“That's why I've not smiled a lot in the last four or five months.”

Arsene Wenger, who’s been serving Premier League club Arsenal for more than a decade, expects Perez not to sack the Madrid manager and expects him to receive more time at the Spanish capital.

“I would just like to take this occasion to support completely Rafael Benitez, who is an outstanding manager,” Wenger said in a news conference.

“And I think it would be not serious to sack the manager after 12 games. I hope he will get the support of Florentino Perez.”