Dreaded Vote Of Confidence

Real Madrid's Director General Jorge Valdano has publicly backed under fire boss Manuel Pellegrini following the Spanish clubs Champions League shock exit to Lyon. The dreaded vote of confidence, roughly translates as "as soon as we have a replacement coach lined up, your'e out the door".

Although sitting proudly on top of La Liga with only three defeats from twenty five games this season, the nine times European Champions have once again failed to progress past the last sixteen stage of Europe's elite competition.

Parallel this with the fact that Los Blancos are not the most patient club in the world when it comes to backing their managers, Pellegrini being the ninth different coach in seven years testifies to that.

The one saving grace that may save the Chilean his job is the fact that he is club president Florentino Perez's man, who feels his name would be tarnished if Pellegrini does not prove a success. By success I mean wrestling the Spanish title away from bitter rivals Barcelona, the only silverware that remains on offer after Real's humiliating 4-1 Copa del Rey exit at the hands of third division outfit Alcorcon.

I like Pellegrini, some of the football his team have played this season has been outstanding as was his Villarreal side he coached.

Let's hope for his sake the Bernabeu fans keep their white hankies in their pockets for a little while longer.