… Lopetegui leaves as head coach after 5-1 defeat at Camp Nou
… Santiago Solari takes temporary charge as talks with Conte stall
… Sacked Lopetegui thankful for Real Madrid 'opportunity'
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| Julen Lopetegui |
That defeat was Madrid’s third in a row in La Liga. The midfielder Casemiro called the team a “disaster” and described the defeat as the “image of our season”. Madrid had previously gone eight hours without scoring, 12 minutes short of their worst-ever run, and they have lost five and won only one of their past seven matches – an unconvincing 2-1 win against the Czech side Viktoria Plzen that ended with supporters whistling to show their dissatisfaction. Defeated in the European Super Cup on his competitive debut, Lopetegui has lost as many games as he has won in all competitions: six of 14.
Luis Suárez and Barcelona leave Madrid floundering again in clásico | Sid Lowe
On Sunday Lopetegui insisted he had the “strength” to carry on but the decision was not his. Madrid are currently ninth in the table and the club released a statement on Monday evening confirming that they had unilaterally released the coach, who has now been sacked from the two biggest jobs in Spain in just four months. There was no press conference or appearance from the president to explain the decision.
“The board understands that there is a great difference between the quality of the Real Madrid squad, that has eight players nominated for the Ballon d’Or, unprecedented in the history of the club, and the results achieved until now,” read the club statement. “We are grateful to Lopetegui and his staff and wish them the best in their professional career.”
Santiago Solari, who manages Madrid’s B team Castilla, will take over on an interim basis, starting with Wednesday’s trip to face Melilla in the Copa del Rey.
Madrid had briefed that they would bring the former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, whom they contacted over three weeks ago, but talks stalled on Monday. Although there is no definitive decision, there was little optimism that a deal would be done with the Italian. The reason for that is not yet clear but Madrid’s captain, Sergio Ramos, had made it clear that he did not welcome the prospect. Asked about the prospect of a manager like Conte with mano dura – an iron fist – arriving at the Bernabéu, Ramos replied: “Respect is earned, not imposed.”
Sacked Lopetegui thankful for Real Madrid 'opportunity'
Julen Lopetegui has paid tribute to the Real Madrid fans in the wake of his dismissal as manager on Monday.
The 52-year-old was officially dismissed following the 5-1 Clasico demolition at the hands of Barcelona on Sunday, although there were reports the decision had been made after they lost 2-1 to Levante last weekend.
Madrid released a statement to confirm Lopetegui's exit in which they appeared to criticise the former Spain boss for failing to make the most of a talented squad, saying "there is a great disproportion between the quality of the squad, which has eight players nominated for the Ballon d'Or, and the results obtained so far [this season]".
However, Lopetegui refused to hit back at the Madrid board and instead thanked everyone associated with the club.
"After the decision taken by the Real Madrid board of directors, I want to thank the club for the opportunity they gave me," he said in a brief statement provided to EFE.
"Thank you to the players for their effort and their work, as well as to each and every one of the club's employees, for their good treatment during this time.
"And, of course my gratitude to the fans for their backing. I send them my best wishes for the rest of the season."
Santi Solari, the Real Madrid Castilla boss, will serve as interim coach of the first team while a long-term successor to Lopetegui is sought.
Antonio Conte is the favourite for the job, but there are reports of discrepancies between the former Chelsea and Juventus head coach's demands and Madrid's offer.
The club will have just two weeks to name a permanent manager, though, due to La Liga rules.
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