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Iconic AC Milan coach Arrigo Sachi has claimed that Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez is struggling due to his inability to make a connection with Madrid stakeholders. Sachi, who was director of football in Real Madrid during the 2004/05 season feels that Benitez hasn’t jived with Florentino Perez, the Madrid fans nor his playing squad.
Speaking to Italian publication Gazetta della sport, Sachi said, “The appointment hasn’t metabolised on a tactical-technical level, or human or psychological. Benitez has not yet connected with the fans or Florentino Perez.” The statement has some justification, given that both the Madridistas and Perez are notorially hard to please. Benitez has not helped matters, often making mysterious decisions, such as starting without a defensive midfielder as Real Madrid went down 4-0 to Barcelona in the El Clasico this year.
Benitez also oversaw Real Madrid give up ground in the title race last week, as Los Blancos went down to a cohesive Villareal unit 1-0, thus consigning Madrid to 3rd place, 5 points behind rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. The defeat increased the pressure surrounding Benitez, with increased speculation that Perez may lose his patience and dispense with the Spaniard’s services.
Madrid are a group of individuals, not a team
Sachi did sympathize with Benitez, as he noted that it was tough for any manager to succeed given Real Madrid & Perez’s affinity for galacticos. The iconic manager was famed for his emphasis on the team and not the individual, once noting, “You can’t achieve anything on your own, and if you do, it doesn’t last long”. Sachi had similar words for Madrid’s club structure, saying, “They're based more around individual skills than teamwork and the manager is forced to make the most of that without disrupting the team's hierarchy.”
“They're a star-studded squad, possibly the best in the world, but that doesn't always make them a team.”
With Benitez struggling, speculation has increased around Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane’s ability to take over from the Spaniard. However, the French maestro has reiterated his backing for Benitez, saying, “I support Benitez, he is doing very well. The first team is doing amazing work with the coach. It is normal that, when you lose one or two games, there is criticism.”
“I don't read the media much. What matters to me is what I do every day, that the first team always wins, and that I am behind the coach and all of Real Madrid.”
