MADRID, Spain Real Madrid has decided to keep Dutch coach Guus Hiddink on as coach despite the embarrassing 3-0 defeat this weekend against eternal foe FC Barcelona, news reports said Monday. Hiddink will continue,'' Madrid chairman Lorenzo Sanz was quoted by the leading daily El Pais as saying. I don't even know why you are asking me this.'' The defeat left Barcelona with 43 points, five clear at the top of the Spanish primera division while Madrid lies No. 5 with 37 points.

With Madrid unable to find consistent form this season, speculation was high that Hiddink might get the ax should the side lose against Barcelona. Doubts also intensified late Sunday after city neighbor team Atletico de Madrid fired its Italian coach Arrigo Saachi because of the team's recent dismal league performances. The team played well (against Barcelona),'' Sanz told El Pais. Maybe Hiddink's strategy was a little conservative.

But there's a lot of league left. There are still 48 points to be won and I'm not giving up the title yet.'' Hiddink, himself, said he did not expect to be fired. For me there was never any question about not staying on,'' El Pais quoted him as saying. Hiddink, who coached the Dutch national team to No. 4 in last year's World Cup in France, took over at Madrid from Jupp Heynckes. Heynckes led Madrid to its record seventh European Champions Cup but many believe he was fired after Madrid failed to dominate Barcelona in the domestic league.

(AP)