Real Madrid: Julen Lopetegui responds to sacking rumours
Real Madrid suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday to push Julen Lopetegui through the exit door.
Reports last week suggested Lopetegui had three matches to save himself from club president Florentino Perez’s axe.
He started that run of games with a shock 2-1 defeat to Levante last weekend before restoring some pride with a 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League.
But he has now been given the chop following Los Blancos’ disappointing display at the Nou Camp yesterday.
A Luis Suarez hat-trick and goals from Philippe Coutinho and Arturo Vidal put the European champions to the sword.
Express Sport brings you everything you need to know about the managerial situation.
When was Julen Lopetegui sacked?
Real Madrid announced Julen Lopetegui had been sacked at 8pm GMT on Monday.
Real Madrid news: Julen Lopetegui looks set to be replaced by Antonio Conte (Image: GETTY)
Real Madrid news: Julen Lopetegui only took charge of the club in the summer (Image: GETTY)
A club statement read: “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 eight 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.
“He will be provisionally replaced by Santiago Solari, who will lead the first team starting tomorrow, Tuesday.”
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