Hierro defends Galacticos

Bolton defender Fernando Hierro has spoken about the crisis at Real Madrid.

Bolton Wanderers defender Fernando Hierro has spoken about the crisis at Real Madrid.

Los Merengues went crashing out of the UEFA Champions League after an extra time defeat to Juventus and lost to Getafe at the weekend, a reverse that looks to have waved the white flag in the race for the Spanish title.

Hierro, however, has offered his backing to Los Galacticos and criticised the officials at his former club for axeing Vicente del Bosque.

"As a man, Vicente has a great heart," Hierro told L'Equipe. "As a coach, he knew how to handle the dressing room with a lot of tact.

"He didn't need to show authority. He spent 38 years at Real and that means something.

"He also proved it with seven titles in such a short time. It is almost unique in modern football.

"For me, of course they had to go on with Vicente del Bosque and they should have kept both Claude Makelele and Fernando Morientes.

"If Madrid became the club which won the most titles in the world, it was due to hard work. But they won't remain number one if they only look back at the trophies.

"The present officials know what they have to do. They have to take things on.

"The chairman is not alone in making the decisions. Today, it is up to Arrigo Sacchi and Emilio Butragueno to take measures.

"And stop saying it is Los Galacticos' fault.

"Everything is not the players' fault.

"We can't say they are the best in the world and, six months later, they are the worst."