Camacho set to quit as Real in chaos

Real Madrid’s English trio of David Beckham, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate face uncertain futures as the managerial merry-go-round at the Bernabeu continues, with Jose Antonio Camacho set to resign.

A poor start to the season, culminating in a 1-0 defeat by lowly Espanyol on Saturday, has culminated in boss Camacho admitting his exasperation at trying to manage so many high-profile "Galacticos".

His imminent departure will no doubt affect the English contingent greatly, with Beckham among the problematic high-profile stars Camacho refers to, while Owen and Woodgate have not proved themselves yet.

Camacho is frustrated at his inability to win over the dressing room since becoming Madrid coach in the summer.

“I can see I don’t have the support of the players and I feel as if I am on my own in this project. I don’t have the strength to do it all alone,” Madrid-based sports paper Marca reported him as telling the squad.

If even the legendary Camacho is unable to inspire those players to better efforts, the fans are certain to direct their wrath at those they see responsible – and that will put Beckham right in the firing line.

Beckham won many plaudits when he first moved to Spain but he lost form in the second half of last season and has not regained it so far this term, and Camacho’s decision to leave him on the bench for Saturday’s game against Espanyol suggests a strained relationship.

Owen could also see himself under pressure, but for different reasons. Camacho was said to be unhappy with the arrival of Owen, preferring a defensive midfielder to a striker.

To Camacho’s credit, he has not left Owen on the sidelines. Indeed, the England striker began Saturday’s game, although he struggled to make an impression.

The arrival of a new coach could allow Owen to make a start with a leader who is happy to have him in the squad.

Woodgate can take no part of the blame for either Camacho or Real’s troubles, but depending on who arrives as a replacement, the coach’s departure may be bad news for him.

Whereas Camacho did not want Owen, Woodgate’s signing is thought to have been on his petition to Perez, requesting another player to shore up Madrid’s defence.

But after spending a month in Madrid, Woodgate is still not fit and is at least three weeks away from playing again.

By then the season will be well under way, and the man who spent €22m to bring him to the club will have gone. That could make it difficult for Woodgate to break into the squad.

At the moment it looks as if Camacho’s third coach Mariano Garcia Ramon will take over, at least on a temporary basis. The club have called a meeting of the directors later today.

Perez has a serious dilemma: last season’s coach Carlos Queiroz failed because many saw him as too soft on Madrid’s stars. Camacho has failed for exactly the opposite reason: he was too hard and they did not accept it.