Schuster to stay at Madrid

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has been given a vote of confidence by sporting director Predrag Mijatovic.

The club called a press conference this evening amid mounting speculation the German tactician could be headed for the Bernabeu exit doors.

However, Mijatovic rubbished such speculation, saying he was “fully confident” in his coach.

Today’s press conference was called in the wake of Saturday’s 1-0 Primera Liga defeat at Real Valladolid.

That was Madrid’s fourth loss in their last eight competitive games, a run that has left the Spanish giants five points behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga, out of the cup and four points behind Juventus in their Champions League group.

Last week’s Copa del Rey exit at the hands of Segunda Division B side Real Union was a low point of the season for Madrid, who despite winning the second leg 4-3 went out on the away goals rule.

In the wake of that embarrassment, Spanish media claimed Schuster could be sacked if Madrid lost this weekend’s clash at Valladolid.

However, that has not proved to be the case, with Mijatovic tonight throwing his support behind the 48-year-old.

“We have one of the best squads in the world and I am convinced that we can finish the year with a title,” Mijatovic said.

“We have only played 11 games in the league and we are close to the top.

“We have total faith in our coach. We are all very happy with him. In recent games we have done as we have wished. Not only us, but him as well.

“We want to transmit calm and confidence to the fans.”