MADRID, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid president Florentino Perez this Saturday defended under-fire coach Jose Mourinho at an event with the club's supporters.
Perez used the award of medals to some of the oldest Real Madrid club members to praise Mourinho's work after the Portuguese trainer has been criticized in recent weeks.
The fact that Madrid are only third in the league table, 11 points behind bitter rivals FC Barcelona have led many to speculate that Mourinho is planning to abandon the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the campaign, despite having a contract until the end of June 2016.
Mourinho has also dropped hints that he could be tiring of Real Madrid, amid rumors of a breakdown in relations with several players in the dressing room.
His relationship with Perez has also been called into doubt with the press openly speculating that coach and president were no longer as close as they had been, something Perez worked hard to deny.
Real Madrid have got the best coach in the world, who has an impressive past record and who has the most demanding job there is in the world, said Perez.
Mourinho has had to put up with attacks and unfair criticism and some of them have been a direct affront to his dignity, but I want to use this moment to express my recognition to Jose Mourinho, my confidence in his work and all of my affection, he said.
Perez also refused to accept that his club was out of the title race despite their 11 point deficit to Barcelona and a five point gap behind Atletico Madrid.
There are no impossible challenges here as the coach and players all know. We have already been able to celebrate this season after winning the Supercup, he said.