Santiago Solari insists his own future does not matter after Real Madrid win

Sport360 staff 07:20 12/11/2018
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  • Santiago Solari

    Santiago Solari insisted his own future was immaterial after Real Madrid continued their recovery with a 4-2 La Liga victory at Celta Vigo.

    Interim boss Solari oversaw a fourth consecutive win since succeeding the sacked Julen Lopetegui last month – and could now be handed the Real reins full-time.

    Solari’s future is set to be determined on Monday as Spanish league rules dictate caretaker managers cannot be in charge of a club for more than 14 days.

    After that time, the temporary boss must be made permanent if they are to continue in the role – and it will be exactly two weeks on Monday since Solari was put in charge.

    But asked if another victory made him the favourite for the job full-time, Solari said it did not matter.

    “The important thing is to do what is necessary for the good of the team, everything else doesn’t matter,” Solari told reporters after the match.

    Real took advantage of league leaders Barcelona’s surprise 4-3 home defeat to Real Betis earlier in the day to cut the gap to top spot to four points.

    Karim Benzema and a Gustavo Cabral own goal gave Real a 2-0 lead at Balaidos before Hugo Mallo reduced the deficit.

    Sergio Ramos, from the penalty spot, and substitute Dani Ceballos added late goals either side of a red card for Cabral, before Celta’s Brais Mendez had the final word in stoppage time.

    But Solari was upset with forceful Celta challenges, which often went unpunished.

    Casemiro went off in the first 20 minutes and Gareth Bale and Alvaro Odriozla were also limping at the end after being clattered.

    “Celta played very aggresively,” Solari said.

    “Casemiro had to come off, Gareth made a huge effort because the kick he received was causing him problems.

    “Their challenges were at the limit of what’s allowed and we suffered because of that.”

    Real director Emilio Butragueno hinted after the game that Solari will be staying on at Los Blancos, saying: “The truth is that we are very happy with him.”

    Butragueno told Movistar+: “There is no doubt that he came at a very particular moment and has been able to achieve very good results.

    “It was a very complicated game and we also had setbacks with injuries, (but) we had personality and character.

    “We have very good players and the team is getting better and better, we took advantage of our chances and we are very happy, we must continue in this way.

    “The line-up that finished the game is a clear example that we have a competitive squad, as the team has the personality to aspire to everything.”

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