The Spanish manager has left Santiago Bernabeu following a 5-1 defeat for Los Blancos against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday.
Julen Lopetegui has been sacked by Real Madrid after a terrible
start to the 2018-19 season culminated in a shocking loss against their
arch-rivals, Barcelona, this weekend.
Barca were good value for their victory, even without club captain
Lionel Messi pulling the strings in the final third, as Luis Suarez
grabbed a hat-trick in between strikes from Philippe Coutinho and Arturo
Vidal .
Marcelo made the scoreline 2-1 just after half-time, but a late
flurry from the hosts made sure of the three points, which has left
Madrid sitting ninth in the Liga table, seven points behind leaders
Barca.
Lopetegui has been under pressure for weeks now and, having won
just one of their last seven matches in all competitions, the board has
finally decided to act by terminating his contract.
The 52-year-old boss was appointed as Madrid's new manager just
before the World Cup back in June, which cost him his position as
Spain's head coach for the tournament.
Los Blancos started the season quite strongly but, after a 1-0
defeat against Alaves on October 6, things began to unravel for
Lopetegui and his team have underperformed ever since.
Goal understands Antonio Conte is in advanced talks to replace him
in the hotseat, though difficulties regarding the Italian's release
clause with Chelsea have provided an unwelcome setback.
As such, reserve-team manager Santiago Solari is set to take the reins until an agreement can be reached between the two clubs.
A statement released by Madrid on Monday reads: "The board of
directors of Real Madrid CF, after meeting today on October 29, 2018,
have agreed to terminate Julen Lopetegui's contract with the club.
"The decision, taken with the highest level of responsibility,
aims to change the dynamics of the first team while all the objectives
of this season are still achievable.
"The board of directors understands that there is a great
disproportion between the quality of the staff of Real Madrid - which
has eight players nominated for the next Ballon d'Or, something
unprecedented in the history of the club - and the results obtained to
date.
"The club thanks Julen Lopetegui and all his technical team for
their effort and work and wish them the best in their professional
career.
"He will provisionally replaced by Santiago Solari, who will lead the first team starting from Tuesday."
Lopetegui had pledged to turn things around at the Bernabeu in the wake of El Clasico, as he insisted:
"This is a tough blow, but I am strong enough to know everything can be
turned around. There is a long way to go, and I have a lot of faith in
this group of players.”
However, Madrid chiefs were unwilling to grant him a stay of
execution at the club and, by turning to Conte at this early stage, they
are hoping that the season can be salvaged, with plenty still to play
for across all competitions.
Club captain Sergio Ramos was pensive in his response when asked about Lopetegui's future on Sunday, as he stated post-match: "It
is not our decision. So, we will stay to the side, let the hours pass
and whatever happens will happen. It’s not about the players.”
Next up for Madrid is a Copa Del Rey clash against Melilla on
Wednesday, before a return to La Liga duty on Saturday against Real
Valladolid.
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