Real coach Luxemburgo has full backing, says Sacchi

Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo enjoys the full support of the club and his job is not under threat, according to director of football Arrigo Sacchi.

"Luxemburgo does not run the risk of losing his job, he has our backing," Sacchi told radio station Onda Cero on Friday.

"A club with the power and history of Real Madrid should show patience and confidence in the coach."

"The biggest clubs in Europe don't sack their coaches. (Frank) Rijkaard had a terrible start in his first year at Barcelona, but they remained patient."

Luxemburgo has found himself under severe pressure in the last week after his side were dealt a humiliating 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Barcelona and were then held to a 1-1 draw by Olympique Lyon in the Champions League at the Bernabeu.

Thousands of Real fans jeered the Brazilian and chanted "out, out, out" when he replaced David Beckham with right back Michel Salgado in the final 10 minutes of the Lyon game -- a move that appeared to indicate he was happy with the draw.

"I understand that the fans are critical and that they want to show their dissatisfaction ... but we have been very unlucky this season," said Sacchi. "Luxemburgo has never been able to field the team he has wanted because of the injuries.

"Vanderlei and his players will be working hard from now on to show that our problems have been due to bad luck and injuries."

A succession of players in the Real squad have had been laid low by injury in the early part of the season including leading striker Ronaldo, club captain Raul, Zinedine Zidane, Beckham, Julio Baptista, Ivan Helguera and Michel Salgado.

Sacchi said that Luxemburgo's job was not even in jeopardy if his side lost this weekend's league match away to Real Sociedad and said the Brazilian was not the only the one to bear responsibilty for the team's performances.

"If Real lose in San Sebastian, Luxemburgo will remain as coach," he said. "I can see how he works and it is clear he knows what he is doing. He's having a difficult time at the moment, but he is not the only person to blame, perhaps we are all a little bit guilty."

"For the team the important thing is not to drop any more points between now and the Christmas break. After that the outlook will be positive."

"We have to recover the players, all pull in the same direction and if we give it our all I am sure this team will show it is competitive."

Real are in fourth place in the Primera Liga, four points behind leaders Barcelona, and have secured a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.