Madrid, Dec 16 (IANS): Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has defended coach Jose Mourinho.

Perez used the award of medals to some of the oldest Real Madrid club members to praise Mourinho's work after the Portuguese trainer came under attack in recent weeks, reports Xinhua.

The fact that Madrid are only third in the league table, 11 points behind bitter rivals FC Barcelona, has led many to speculate that Mourinho is planning to abandon the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the campaign despite having a contract until the end of June 2016.

Mourinho has also dropped hints that he could be getting tired of Real Madrid, amid rumours of a breakdown in relations with several players in the dressing room.

His relationship with Perez has also been called into doubt, with a section of the press speculating that the coach and the president were no longer as close as they had been. Perez denied that.

"Real Madrid have got the best coach in the world, who has an impressive past record and who has the most demanding job there is in the world," said Perez Saturday.

"Mourinho has had to put up with attacks and unfair criticism and some of them have been a direct affront to his dignity. I want to use this moment to express my recognition to Jose Mourinho, my confidence in his work and all of my affection," he said.

Perez also refused to accept that his club was out of the title race despite their 11 point deficit to Barcelona and a five point gap behind Atletico Madrid.

"There are no impossible challenges here as the coach and players all know. We have already been able to celebrate this season after winning the Supercup," he said.