Sergio Ramos has insisted that the Real Madrid players are fully behind manager Rafa Benitez even though they are currently third in the league table. The Real Madrid skipper also pledged his support to club president Florentino Perez and also admitted that Perez runs the show at Real and that his decisions are important and the ones that matter.
Speaking to the reporters after Real’s 10-2 thrashing of relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, Ramos said, “If that's what the president says then he has his reasons. We're just the pawns here, he's the king.”
“We all support the manager. He tries to bring his own ideas and we try to execute them, every player tries to do it in his own way. It doesn't always come off, but the least you have to do is give it your all and leave everything on the pitch,” Ramos added.
Ramos responded to the comments made by Perez last month which stated that Real coach Benitez was “the solution, and not the problem.” However, things have not gone according to plan for Rafa Benitez at Real, with the club trailing league leaders and arch rivals FC Barcelona by two points having played a game more when Barca were away with the Club World Cup.
Perez and his policies as club president
Florentino Perez and his decisions as club president have been much debated over the years. The re-introduction of the Galatico policy by the President has brought limited success, but critics have also raised the idea of the lack of stability that can foster continued success.
Perez seems to have a similar policy with managers and players, with fresh faces introduced every now and then. Carlo Ancelotti introduced an attractive style of football and did very little wrong leading the club to La Decima, but still had to face the axe in March 2015. Rafa Benitez who took the job after that is also rumoured to be under threat now.
Continuity is vital when it comes to sustained success, especially at a club as big as Real Madrid and anything less would result in a lack of progress. It seems Perez’s obsession with sacking managers and buying shiny new talent has almost blinded him to the extent where even his position has been brought into question. With the club likely to play second fiddle to rivals Barcelona yet again this season, some critics believe Perez needs to make way before Benitez.
