Rafael Benitez has rarely been tempted to throw a tantrum during his illustrious managerial career, but speaking to a bevy of reporters following his side's agonizing defeat to Jiangsu Suning earlier this month, the Dalian Pro coach found it extraordinarily difficult to get his emotions under control.  

"I didn't like the game and that's it," he fumed without any further explanation. When quizzed about the reason he turned his back on the pitch in the latter stages of the game, the former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss coldly shot back, "I didn't like the game, that's the reason why." But what's his take on the result? "I would say that I didn't like the game too much," moaned the 60-year-old before making a hasty exit.

In fairness, Benitez could be forgiven for temporarily veering away from his reassuringly calm and affable presence. The veteran Spaniard, one of the highest-paid manager in world football, is facing his biggest ever crisis since moving to the Chinese Super League (CSL) last summer. Halfway through the first stage of this coronavirus-delayed campaign, his team are still winless and at the foot of the table, staring down the barrel of relegation. 

Their latest 3-2 loss to Shenzhen FC was a microcosm of Benitez's season so far. A lack of concentration and discipline cost Dalian dearly as they instantly fell behind at the first sight of threat. Former Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon and ex-Napoli captain Marek Hamsik helped Dalian battle back from two-goal deficit, only for them to concede a late penalty that sealed the tense encounter.

For all their investment, Dalian remain horribly reliant on Rondon's goals, and the 30-year-old has looked increasingly frustrated of late despite netting five goals in six appearances. A lack of bite was not quite so critical while they remained steely at the back, but they conceded goals in every game, with goalkeeper Zhang Chong not emerging as the source of strength and reliability he once was.

The crisis of confidence gnawing away at Dalian players has been brutally exposed and the statistics make grim reading for Benitez. Since taking over Dalian a year ago, he has won only seven of his 23 matches, which represented the tactician's lowest average points return in 24 years.

It's worth noting that there were mitigating factors. Some young players have thrived under Benitez and added freshness to their squad. The emergence of Dong Yanfeng, Tong Lei and the Li Shuai will stand Dalian in good stead, but the flip side is embodied by glaring inconsistencies in performances and a severe lack of experience on the pitch.

Benitez has repeatedly pointed out that Dalian is the youngest team in Chinese topflight and appealed for patience for his callow talents. It is understood that Dalian owner Wanda Group has thrown its full weight behind the under-fire coach, noting the team is fully committed to developing Chinese youngsters.

However, Shenzhen's cruel dismissal of AC Milan icon Roberto Donadoni and Tianjin Teda's ruthlessly sacking of German veteran Uli Stielike have demonstrated that club owners won't hesitate to pull the trigger if there is little indication that the current coach is capable of instigating a reversal of fortune.

"I have had offers of greater financial significance during my career, but they weren't the project I was looking for," said Benitez when he explained the shocking decision to swap the Premier League for CSL last year.

"What I have found at Dalian is an incredible project that has arrived at the perfect time and this has been a major factor in my decision. We've accepted the challenge of leading a superb project with the full backing and confidence of the club's leadership team," he beamed.

Alas, if the odds continue to shorten for Dalian to go down, Benitez will inevitably make his exit again.