Axe hovers over Schuster

Real Madrid players have fun during a training session at Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday.Photo: AFP

Bernd Schuster has experienced some lows in his 16-month spell as Real Madrid manager but the German coach is currently facing his most difficult time with intense speculation that he could be set for the axe if things don't improve, starting with Saturday's match at Valladolid.
The champions are only two points behind leaders Barcelona but Schuster is feeling the heat after back-to-back defeats to Juventus in the Champions League, unconvincing displays in the league and a humiliating Kings Cup defeat at the Bernabeu to third division Real Union, who play at the same level as Real's reserves.
"I'm not worried about my job, but I understand that others will have some doubts," said Schuster. "That's logical with what we are seeing."
Alarmingly Real, who have not kept a clean sheet since the end of September, have leaked eight goals in their last three matches - something Schuster needs to sort out quickly.
Barcelona's fortunes are the complete opposite with eight straight league wins and scintillating football seeing them sit proudly at the summit.
Barcelona have plundered 34 goals in their first 10 games, with Samuel Eto'o scoring 13 goals after a quadruple last weekend, and the Catalan titans have set their sights on the season record of 107 goals set by John Toshack's Real Madrid side in 1989/90.Lionel Messi was unstoppable in last weekend's 6-0 destruction of Valladolid and teammate Thierry Henry is in no doubt that the little Argentine is currently the best player on the planet.
"Messi is the best. What he does is from another world," explained Henry. "After watching Arsenal against Manchester United, I insist Cristiano Ronaldo is one thing and Messi is another. There is no comparison. Messi deserves to win the Ballon d'Or this year."
Barca's next opponents are Recreativo Huelva on Sunday and they will be hoping Messi and Eto'o have off days.
Villarreal sit a point behind Barcelona in second and are the only unbeaten team in the league although they crashed out of the Kings Cup to minnows Polideportivo Ejido in midweek.
On Sunday, Manuel Pellegrini's team travel to promoted Malaga, who were unfortunate not to beat Real Madrid on their own ground last weekend losing 4-3 against ten men.
Valencia are a point behind Villarreal in third - with Real fourth on the same points after a strong start to the campaign - under new coach Unai Emery and host Sporting Gijon on Saturday night.
Atletico are at home to Deportivo La Coruna, one point above them in sixth, on Sunday and Aguirre could do with a win to calm the persistent talk over his future with last season's Champions League qualification seemingly not enough to satisfy the demanding board.