Real Madrid board expresses support for Capello.

Real Madrid's board of directors expressed support for manager Fabio Capello on Monday, a day after the club suffered its fourth loss in six games.

The board met following Madrid's 1-0 loss to Levante, which triggered protests at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium with many in the crowd demanding Capello's resignation. The loss left Read Madrid in fourth place, five points behind league leader FC Barcelona.

"Fabio deserves all our confidence," club sport director Predrag Mijatovic said. "Capello continues as coach and things haven't changed.

"What we have to do is work harder, resolve our sport problems and trust that at the end of the year we'll be happy," added Mijatovic, who played for the club from 1996 to 1999.

Board spokesman Miguel Angel Arroyo told reporters Capello needed more time to carry out his changes.

"He is the only one capable of carrying out the renovation of Real Madrid that we all want," Arroyo said.

Madrid's loss to Levante was its first in history against the small team. Madrid was eliminated from the Copa del Rey last month, beaten by Real Betis in the fifth round.

The team has scored 28 goals in 21 league matches, its fewest in the 16 years.

Madrid was playing its 1,000th league game at the Bernabeu but first since Ronaldo completed a 7.5-million-euro (C$11.5 million) move to AC Milan on Tuesday.

Under Capello, Real Madrid also has seen David Beckham commit to transferring to the Los Angeles Galaxy after the European season is complete. Beckham watched Sunday's game from the stands.

Madrid has not won a trophy since 2003 — its longest drought since the early 1950s. Capello was hired in July as Madrid's sixth coach in three years.