Soccer-Schuster can prove his worth with title, says Salgado

MADRID, March 20 (Reuters) - Bernd Schuster has the chance to prove himself as Real Madrid coach over the last 10 games of the season by steering them to the Primera Liga title, defender Michel Salgado said on Thursday.

"It's true we have gone through a difficult patch over the last month but it is something he had to experience," Salgado told a news conference.

"There is a big difference between coaching Real and playing here, and, with all due respect, to coaching Real as opposed to Getafe.

"Now we shall really see if Schuster is up to the job of being Real coach. I think he is because the work he has done until now is very good."

The Spanish champions have gone off the boil in recent weeks and their exit from the Champions League to AS Roma in the first knockout round has had many in the local media questioning Schuster's abilities.

Although they lead the Primera Liga by seven points from second-placed Barcelona they have suffered three defeats in their last five league games.

The news that Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will be out for six weeks after ankle surgery on Wednesday has done little to promote optimism that the entertainment levels considered so important at Real will improve.

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