EXCLUSIVE: Former Real Madrid Boss Radomir Antic Casts Doubt Over Suitability Of Arsene Wenger And Rafa Benitez For Bernabeu Hot-Seat

And also for Antic. Today, the 62-year-old spends his time between his homes in Madrid and Belgrade. He is in the midst of preparing the Serbian national team for the World Cup finals in South Africa, after successfully guiding them through qualification.

Having spent most of his coaching life in Spain, before answering the call of his country, Antic is the only man to have coached Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. He is the only man to be accepted at all three stadia and still admired by their fans. Goal.com meet Radomir in Madrid outside the Vicente Calderon ahead of Atletico's encounter with Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League on Thursday.

It's impossible to do anything. Once fans realise he is there, an instant queue has formed as excitable Atletico fans beg to have their photo taken with him... "Of course, of course, why not?" says a laughing Antic as he gently puts his arms around a father and son, who are covered from head to foot in the colours of Los Colchoneros It is understandable. Antic was the last coach to lead Atletico to glory, helping them win the league and cup double for the first time in the club's history in the 1995-96 season.

But the matter in hand regarding our discussion is not about Atletico, it’s about his former club Real Madrid. Antic was in charge of Los Blancos for less than one season. Appointed in March 1991, he was suddenly and unexpectedly sacked by January 1992, even though Madrid were on fire, leading the league seven points clear of Barcelona. He was replaced by Dutchman Leo Beenhakker and Madrid went on to squander their seven-point advantage and lost the league to their bitter Catalan rivals on the last day of the season. It is of course as much about the politics within the club as it is about performances on the pitch.

"That's always happened here," Antic sighs, recalling his own experiences.  "That's Real Madrid. They are always looking for something and the opinion of the people is always more important."

That said, when I put to him the names of several coaches who are already being linked as possible replacements for beleaguered incumbent Manuel Pellegrini, Antic identifies one coach as being unlikely ever to come to Madrid.

"If you look at it, for the last twenty years Arsene Wenger has always looked to improve his teams with youngsters. Real Madrid don't do things that way. They always go out and buy the big stars, the cracks. Someone would have to change and Wenger would never be the one." 

Antic also feels that the situation with Wenger reflects the politics and the ethos of both Real Madrid and Arsenal.

"If you look at it, Arsenal have a totally different approach. For example, in the past they have sold some of their big stars and instead developed their own young talent. Real Madrid would just never do that."

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The media in Spain are already beginning to speculate over Pellegrini's future, despite Real's sporting director Jorge Valdano reiterating the mantra that he is part of a long-term project. Valdano was even prepared to bet live on air on Radio Nacional Espana that Pellegrini would still be the coach this time next year. He did also suggest that everything is always evaluated and that process would take place at the end of the season. Further support for the under-pressure Chilean comes from the fans themselves. Both marca.com and the national newspaper elpais.com asked readers in a poll whether Pellegrini should be sacked. The overwhelming response was no.

But none of that has stopped the gossip. Among the other names being bandied about are those of the Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, Inter's Jose Mourinho and Liverpool's Rafael Benitez. Regarding the latter, Antic has some reservations.

"Oh, he's had a bad time with Liverpool. They lost in their last league game against Wigan where they simply didn't play with the authority that you expect Liverpool to play with."

Antic is himself quite convinced that despite the rumours and the speculation, the club will stick with Pellegrini.

"Look, always in this type of situation someone puts it in the news about a coach like Benitez or a Wenger. I am not sure if this is the reality of the moment. Pellegrini still has one more year of his contract, and the club has to make a decision and I think everything will quieten down."

Perhaps because he is a coach himself, Antic reserves some of his ire for the players. He is especially critical of Guti, who said after the draw against Lyon, that the team played as individuals and not as a collective.

“I don't think Guti is exactly the person who can say this," Antic says with some agitation. "Up until now he has only started in six games and only come on from the bench on seven occasions. Guti has good management and they are all talking a lot about the way he plays, but I don't think he is a regular player." 

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It's strong criticism of a player who some commentators feel should be considered for Vicente Del Bosque's World Cup squad. Meanwhile, others are coming out and not only giving their support to Pellegrini but also taking responsibility, such as goalkeeper Iker Casillas. And according to Diario AS, Kaka, whom many feel has been the biggest failing of the summer signings so far, has apologised to Pellegrini. It follows inappropriate comments made by one of his media representatives on Twitter shortly after the game against Lyon had finished.

It’s this backing and support which Antic feels may still keep Pellegrini in his job come the end of the season. However, all eyes are now turned to April when Barcelona visit the Bernabeu in La Liga. Defeat there, and no matter who comes out in support, agents of the top coaches can expect to hear their phones buzzing. That also includes Arsene Wenger.

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