Football: Around the world - Spain: Toshack on the brink at the Bernabeu

THE FALL-OUT from Real Madrid's 3-1 defeat at home to their city rivals, Atletico, continued to spread yesterday as the Spanish sports press took the departure of Real's coach, John Toshack, as a foregone conclusion.

Real's poor run of form, which has seen them fail to win any of their last eight league games, has left the Welshman up against the ropes. The chants of "Toshack out!" heard at the Bernabeu stadium on Saturday were repeated at Real's training ground on Sunday as a group of fans vented their anger at what they saw as another spineless display.

Toshack, who joined the Madrid club from the Turkish side Besiktas in February last season on a 16-month deal, insists he wants to stay on and see out his contract. But even he admits the end might be drawing near as Real look for a way out of their latest crisis.

"It has never even entered my head to quit." Toshack said on Sunday. "I'm ready and willing to continue. However, that's not to say that they're not going to sack me." There has been speculation that the former Liverpool striker, who is in his second spell in charge at the Bernabeu, will be given Saturday's game against Rayo Vallecano, the unlikely League leaders, as a final chance to turn things round.