Real Madrid sports chief Pedja Mijatovic handed coach Bernd Schuster a vote of confidence yesterday after their dismal defeat at Real Valladolid.

Reacting to morning press reports that president Ramon Calderon had ordered Schuster's dismissal, Mijatovic declared: "We have one of the best squads in the world and I am convinced that we can finish the year with a title.

"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."

Mijatovic admitted: "I don't want to think about what will happen if we don't win in front of our fans (against Recre).

"I don't want to be here again next week, I hope to be here at the end of the season.

"I'm sure there are coaches available but we are not looking at this possibility. This is not to say that further ahead we will not be obliged to do it, but we will look at that when we have to take decisions."