Los Blancos suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Barcelona at the Nou Camp yesterday as Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick to ensure Real’s Clasico rivals did not feel the absence of captain and talisman Lionel Messi whatsoever.
Lopetegui travelled to Catalonia knowing a bad result would almost certainly cost him his job and Real’s rout confirms his fate.
It is thought that the Spaniard’s brief Bernabeu reign could even be ended today.
And Marca say that Lopetegui is well aware of Real’s imminent decision and that he said his goodbyes to his players in his post-match briefing.
The 52-year-old apparently thanked the players in the dressing room for their efforts in their spell together and wishing them well for the rest of the season in his expected absence.
It is thought Lopetegui is unlikely to see the Madrid squad again even though training is arranged today with the European champions in Copa del Rey action against Melilla in mid-week.
Real Madrid Castilla coach Santiago Solari could take charge of training and that game as the club hope to announce former Chelsea tactician Antonio Conte as Lopetegui’s successor.
Julen Lopetegui is set to be sacked as Real Madrid manager (Image: GETTY)
Real Madrid have been in dreadful form of late (Image: GETTY)
Antonio Conte has been billed as Lopetegui's replacement (Image: GETTY)
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Marca also say that Madrid owner Florentino Perez was so dismayed by his team’s performance that he left the stadium without speaking to any of the squad or playing staff.
Conte is the favourite to come in with Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino, a long-term target, unattainable at this point in the season and also an unlikely appointment in the summer.
That’s the belief of the Independent, who say that Conte will sign a two-season deal to take over despite Madrid having been keen only to sign a new boss to a short-term contract.
Real Madrid are in ninth in La Liga, seven points behind Barca, and have lost five of their last eight matches. They only lost nine of 62 games under Zinedine Zidane throughout the entirety of last season.
And the reality of their situation means they will compromise in order to recruit Conte as Madrid hope the Italian can immediately improve the team even before the January transfer window.
Julen Lopetegui's side were handsomely beaten in El Clasico (Image: GETTY)
Real captain Sergio Ramos stuck up for Lopetegui recently but was not as supportive yesterday (Image: GETTY)