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Real Madrid Have Sacked Julen Lopetegui

Real Madrid Have Sacked Julen Lopetegui

His days are numbered...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Real Madrid have announced the sacking of manager Julen Lopetegui.

The former Spain boss endured a dire first few months in charge of Los Blancos, winning just six games out of 14.

Sunday's 5-1 El Clasico thumping inflicted by Barcelona has proven to be the final straw for Zinedine Zidane's replacement.

After their worst start to a campaign since 2001/02, the 13-time European champions currently lie in ninth place in La Liga, seven points behind leaders Barcelona after ten games.

To the surprise of many, Lopetegui took charge of training at the club's Valdebebas base today but the Basque manager has now been relieved of his duties - with Santiago Solari taking temporary charge.

Solari, who joined Real as a player from rivals Atletico in 2000 and went on to win the Champions League and two La Liga titles, was previously working as manager of the club's Castilla side.

He is the "provisional replacement", though there are strong rumours that former Chelsea and Juventus boss Antonio Conte will become the permanent manager at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real issued the following statement on their official website:

"The Board of Directors of Real Madrid CF, meeting today October 29, 2018, has agreed to terminate the contract that linked coach Julen Lopetegui with the club.

"This decision, adopted from the highest level of responsibility, aims to change the dynamics of the first team, when 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 8 players nominated for the next Golden Ball, 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 wishes them the best in their professional career.

"It will be provisionally replaced by Santiago Solari, who will lead the first team starting tomorrow, Tuesday."

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Topics: Football News, Football, Julen Lopetegui, Spain, Real Madrid