Real Madrid Director Emilio Butragueno Coy on Santiago Solari Exit Rumours

Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno refused to answer questions regarding the future of manager Santiago Solari on Sunday.

Speculation has been rife regarding the coach's position, as Madrid lost back-to-back matches against rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and La Liga before being dumped out of the UEFA Champions League by Ajax.

Los Blancos did get back to winning ways at Real Valladolid on Sunday, coming from behind to win 4-1. However, when Butragueno took questions after the game, he declined the chance to give Solari his full backing.

"Solari is a great professional but we're here now to talk about the game," he said when asked if the manager would be in position until the end of the season, per Marca. 

Butragueno was then asked whether that meant he isn't comfortable with the current situation. "No, what I'm saying is that we're here to talk about the game," was his response.

Sid Lowe of the Guardian commented on what was an awkward exchange between the director and the journalist:

Per Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC, Solari was also non-committal when asked about his possible departure:

After falling behind to Anuar Mohamed Tuhami's effort, Real responded well with goals from Raphael Varane and Luka Modric either side of a brace from Karim Benzema.

Here's the fourth, which secured the three points for Madrid:

While Los Blancos were able to get a much-needed three points, all doesn't appear to be well between the players and the manager at the moment. Nacho said after the match there was tension between the squad and Solari following the game.

"The relationship with the boss [Solari] is difficult as things are not going well," said the defender, per Marca. "But we are with him to the death."

Some of that tension appeared to manifest on the sidelines during the game.

Per the Spanish Football Podcast, Solari and midfielder Toni Kroos were engaged in a fiery discussion at one stage:

Given the manner in which Los Blancos' season unravelled recently, it would be a massive surprise if Solari was to remain in a job beyond the summer.

Paola Nunez of ESPN Deportes reported that a decision on the coach has been made, with Madrid set to axe Solari once a replacement has been found. Former bosses Zinedine Zidane and Jose Mourinho are said to be under consideration.

At the moment, Los Blancos don't have an immediate need to change manager—they won't challenge for the title barring an incredible Barcelona collapse and are secure in third in the table.

However, the club should be planning for the long-term in the coming months, and if Solari isn't part of that, the merits of keeping him around are few.