Real coach slams 'media manipulation'

Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez lashed out on Tuesday at what he called a media "campaign" against him and the club, insisting reports of a crisis were overblown ahead of Wednesday's La Liga game against Real Sociedad.

Speculation over Benitez's position has been rife in the Spanish media, with Real's reserve team coach Zinedine Zidane touted as leading contender to take over, following three defeats in six league games as well as the club's expulsion from the Copa del Rey.

"It's clear that there's a campaign against (club president) Florentino (Perez), against Real Madrid and the coach of Real Madrid," Benitez told a media conference.