Real Madrid calls press conference amid rumours of Benitez's dismissal

Inundated with speculation over the job security of manager Rafa Benitez in the wake of Saturday's obliterating loss to Barcelona in El Clasico, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has called a press conference for Monday evening that will presumably address the rumours.

The club released a brief statement early in the day, announcing simply that Perez, who has fired nine managers in his 12 years at the Santiago Bernabeu, will address the media. The natural assumption is that he will clear the air over Benitez, whose future is in question a mere five months into his tenure in the Spanish capital.

Related - Report: Rafa Benitez's dismissal 'not a matter of if, but when'

Various reports throughout Spain suggest Benitez is a lame-duck manager who will be relieved of his duties at some point this season, though no outlet seems to agree on just when that will happen.

The consensus seems to be that the well-travelled bench boss will avoid the axe for now, though others suggest the 4-0 loss to eternal rival Barcelona was the final straw in a season that has seen Madrid play a dull brand of football under its new manager.

"We are all responsible and now we have to show unity in order to win the next game and give the fans something to be happy about, which is something we failed to do (against Barcelona). We need to get over this result and focus on the next match as soon as possible," Benitez said after Saturday's crushing defeat.

He may not get that chance.