Real Madrid sack coach Julen Lopetegui

Julen Lopetegui has been fired as the manager of Real Madrid. The dismal first half of Real Madrid’s campaign, and on top of that El Clasico humiliation, has led to the sacking.

The Clasico defeat was too much to take. Barcelona were leading 2-0 in the first 45 minutes. The next 45 minutes turned the tide for Lopetegui and Madrid. Barca ran up the score to five. Barcelona was too good for Madrid on the day. The consequence: Lopetegui is fired less than 24 hours later.

It was not just El Classico!

The rivals Barcelona finished 17 points ahead of Real Madrid last season, and it seems that the difference between the two sides is likely to remain similar.

The Catalan club are leading La Liga points table after 10 fixtures. Real Madrid, on the other hand, are ninth on the points tally and seven adrift of the league leaders.

It isn’t just La Liga where they have winless in the last games. They are underperforming in all competitions this season.

Interim coach

Santiago Solari, a former winger for the club and currently the B team coach, has been announced as the interim head coach, with the club considering long-term options.

Real Madrid statement

A statement released on Monday night 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. 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.”

Lopetegui took Real Madrid job in July, a day before Spain’s World Cup campaign got underway against Portugal. The Spaniard was sacked by Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales and immediately took over at the Bernabeu.

Julen Lopetegui's managerial record at Real Madrid:

14 games
6 wins
2 draws
6 losses
21 goals
20 conceded

Only a 42.86% win rate. pic.twitter.com/D4oSkJe0Xx

— Squawka (@Squawka) October 29, 2018