Madrid Deny Capello Resignation Reports
In a shock declaration Radio Cope claimed that Fabio Capello has submitted his resignation on the eve of the Bayern Munich clash, and that the decision would be announced at 1900, confirming he would step down after the Bayern game.
However, Real Madrid have denied the reports, in the very press conference.
Speculation now is that it will only be announced after tomorrow's game, and that Madrid just came out to restore peace after the radio channel got hold of the news.
zoom - galleria According to Radio Cope, the Italian has submitted his resignation, and the club have accepted it.
A formal announcement was supposed to be made at a press conference later this evening, when a club spokesperson would confirm the decision.
It was suggested that Don Fabio would, however, take charge of the Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
Youth team coach Michel - who has been in the news of late for his remarks about Eto'o - was tipped to take over.
However, Madrid have since denied it, though we continue to hear that he will be leaving come tomorrow evening.
Re-live the press conference as it happened:
1900: There is no confirmation yet, but, what we do know is that the coach met Baldini and Mijatovic earlier today, something he seemed to confirm during his press conference.
1905: A board meeting is taking place, and Real Madrid have also just confirmed there is an emergency press conference scheduled for just after 1900, so there is definitely something happening...
1915: The press conference seems to be starting! club spokesperson Miguel Angel Arroyo is speaking.
1918: Madrid fans can breathe easy, as the club have just denied it. However, the media seem to be sensing something else.
1921: "Real Madrid can confirm that Fabio Capello has not submitted his resignation, either verbally, or in writing," reads out Arroyo.
1921: "This news is a surprise to us, we know nothing about it," continues the statement. "It is an attempt to unsettle the club."
1922: A case of smoke without fire, it seems, though it is strange Madrid held an emergency conference just to issue a denial, and that after an intensive meeting of the board.
1925: The reporters seem unconvinced as well, and one asks if the coach will be in charge of Saturday's clash against Atleti. Arroyo says: "The board still have the same confidence in the coach."
1926: Another asks what would happen if he did resign, and a rather nervous Arroyo declines to comment on speculation.
1927: "Mijatovic has not said anything to me about this. It is not true," he asserts in conclusion, claiming part ignorance.
1928: That's it! The press conference is over, and despite another emergency meet, the club have not confirmed anything.
There is some speculation that the decision will stay inside the boardroom until tomorrow evening!
It is understood that Capello took exception after Mijatovic started influencing club policy, and decided to quit - on his own terms before he got the sack.
Rumours coming out of the Real Madrid camp still suggest that the Bayern game will be his last!