Los Merengues' president is becoming the target for the
supporters and hopes to avoid being blamed for the current problems
by ensuring that the spotlight remains on the coach.
Barça-biased El Mundo Deportivo believes that Calderón and
sporting director Predrag Mijatovic will see whether the fans jeer
or applaud the team and Schuster after the game against
Recreativo.
If it is favourable then, he will stay in place. If not, a new
man will be found and presented before the president has to speak
at the assembly in December.
The Catalan daily believes that while names such as Roberto
Mancini, Juande Ramos and Frank Rijkaard have all been considered,
former player and B team coach Michel would be a popular
choice.
While some players have voiced their support for Schuster,
others have reportedly let it be known that they are keen to see
the back of the German and hope his exit comes soon.
In Madrid, Marca have gone against AS, who appear to be
favouring the coach's exit, and held a poll which has clearly come
up showing that fans blame Calderón.
Robinho's exit, coupled with the focus on Cristiano Ronaldo at
the expense of looking into other additions, has added to the
feeling of discontent already in place after the president failed
to live up to his pre-election promise to sign Kaká and Cesc
Fàbregas.
Madrid are still in the top four, but the defeats by Juventus in
Italy and Spain, allied with the Copa del Rey defeat by Real Unión,
has meant that the loss at Real Valladolid has created anxiety that
will now mean changes have to be made.
Schuster has insisted that his squad is unbalanced and that a
new striker and some more wide players are needed, and it appears
that many supporters are beginning to share his frustrations.
If Calderón does try to escape from any blame by installing a
new trainer within two weeks, it could be a risky strategy, as
calls for him to go are already being made.