Madrid - Bernd Schuster has reportedly been told by Real
Madrid to win in Valladolid on Saturday or start packing his bags.
Madrid sports dailies AS and Marca said on Wednesday that Real
have lost confidence in their controversial German coach after a
shock cup elimination against third division side Union Irun the
previous night.
Real beat Irun 4-3, with three goals from veteran captain Raul
Gonzalez, but went out on away goals since they lost 3-2 in the
little Basque port two weeks ago.
A 90th minute goal from Irun striker Eneko Romo silenced the
Estadio Bernabeu - and completed the biggest upset in the 106-year
history of the King's Cup.
Schuster had annoyed the 'madridista' fans by fielding a
reserve-packed side.
He then raised eyebrows at the post-match press conference by
saying that he 'didn't know' why his expensive team had conceded 32
goals in 18 official games this season.
When asked if he was worried about his job, he replied that 'I am
not worried, but I understand that others are. Everyone must have
doubts about the team and about my work. This is the most logical
thing, given what we have seen.'
Real president Ramon Calderon then reportedly called an impromptu
board meeting and Schuster was given the Valladolid ultimatum.
An online poll on Marca's website on Wednesday said that 60.93
per cent of readers believe that the German should be axed.
Marca said that Schuster's replacement would be Miguel Angel
Portugal, sporting adviser to Calderon. AS suggested that another
candidate for the burning bench could be 1980s hero and club junior
team coach Michel.
Schuster's troubled team are joint third in La Liga - two points
behind in-form leaders Barcelona - and second in Champions League
Group H, four points behind leaders Juventus.
The outspoken German - who is very unpopular with journalists and
referees in Spain - will face his 'High Noon' in Valladolid without
injury victims Miguel Torres, Pepe, Mahamadou Diarra, Ruben de la
Red, Arjen Robben and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
In addition, defenders Fabio Cannavaro and Christoph Metzelder are
doubtful after taking heavy knocks against Irun.
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