Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin has backed Diego Simeone, saying the Argentine has been the best coach in the club's history.
An evolving Atletico side have had an inconsistent start to the new season, mixing some excellent performances such as the recent 2-1 home win over Valencia, with less impressive showings.
Some Colchoneros fans and pundits have grown frustrated during the team's last three games, a 1-1 La Liga draw at Deportivo and the goalless Champions League stalemate at Astana, and the last-gasp 1-0 home win over Sporting Gijon.
There were even whistles for Simeone's substitutions at the Estadio Vicente Calderon on Sunday, when his decision to remove winger Rafael Carrasco in particular did not impress the home crowd.
Atletico's joint-owner told a fans meeting in Mexico, reported in AS, that Simeone, who has delivered the club's only La Liga title in the last 20 years along with three other trophies during his three seasons in charge to date, is the best man for the job.
"Simeone is the best ambassador for Atletico to face the world with," Gil Marin said. "He is the best coach in our history. He has brought peace to the club, which is key for our growth. It is difficult for Diego to find a club like ours to work in, and for Atletico to find a better coach than him."
Gil Marin said that Atletico fans upset with their team's current position, set to qualify for the knockout stage from their Champions League group and sitting in third place in La Liga, were being unrealistic.
"It is fundamental to remain in the Champions League," he said. "If you are not there, you do not exist. [Our goals are] to go as far as we can in the Champions League and in the Copa and to be among the top three in La Liga."
Atletico's planned move to a new stadium at La Peineta for the start of the 2016-17 season, appeared again in trouble after recent comments from the Madrid town hall authorities.
However Gil Marin, suggested the project was continuing on track and would help the club make a big leap in terms of revenues.
"In January we will open the office where fans will already be able to choose where they will sit in the new stadium," he said. "The sale of VIP and private box tickets will also start, all were are doing to make this leap which we need.
"There is a very defined revenue structure: the Champions League money, television, ticketing and commercial and advertising. With the tickets we can make a leap with the stadium, but what we really need is to increase the commercial part."