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Real Madrid have sacked Julen Lopetegui after just months in charge, with the ex-Spain coach paying the price following Sunday 5-1 humiliation against Barcelona in El Clasico.
Lopetegui, 52, was announced as Madrid coach just before the start of the World Cup in June, with Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales reacting by immediately sacking him. His first game in charge of Madrid was a 4-2 defeat to neighbors Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup. Lopetegui lasted just 14 games in total, with six wins, two draws and six defeats.
The club's Castilla coach, Santiago Solari, will take over on an interim basis starting on Tuesday.
A club statement read: "Real Madrid's board puts today on Oct. 29, 2018 and has agreed to end contract coach Julen Lopetegui with the club. objectives for the season are still achievable.
"The board understands that there is a big difference between the quality of Real Madrid's squad, which has eight players nominated for the next Ballon D'Or, something without precedent in the history of the club, and the results obtained to date. Thanks Julen Lopetegui and all his staff for their effort and the work done, and I wish them all in their professional careers. "
Sunday's embarrassing defeat to Barcelona was the end for Lopetegui following a run of form, including a 3-0 La Liga reverse at Sevilla, a 1-0 loss at CSKA Moscow in the Champions League and a 2-1 defeat at home to Levante in La Liga. Lopetegui took a break from Madrid, and he would be sacked and Madrid then confirmed his departure later that day.
Lopetegui's Real Madrid Timeline
June 12 – Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid coach after the World Cup, only to be felt by Russia by Spanish FA Luis Rubiales just two days before The Roja's opening game game.
June 14 – Presented as Real Madrid coach by Florentino Perez and says: "Yesterday was the saddest day of my life, after the death of my mother, today is the happiest."
July 18 – Not involved in the decision making as Madrid's all-time record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo is sold to Juventus for € 100m, with a deadline for booking Mariano Diaz from Lyon.
Aug. 15 – Loses first official game as Madrid coach 4-2 to neighbors Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup.
Oct. 20 – Watches his team go past the eight-hour mark with scoring a goal, with Marcelo's strike in the second half to 2-1 home defeat to Levante, which is followed by ringing whistles around the Bernabeu.
Oct. 28 – The Liga games. The Liga games.
Speaking after the 5-1 loss at Camp Nou, Sergio Ramos said: "We are hearing a lot of things, we have heard nothing. and what must happen will happen. "
After winning the Champions League trophy in four seasons, Madrid lost Ronaldo in July, and Zidane stepped down as coach, suggesting he left the squad needed a big shake-up.
With President Florentino Perez saving money ahead of a € 400 million-plus stadium renovation project, and reported transfer targets Neymar and Kylian Mbappe staying at Paris Saint-Germain, Madrid.
Instead, around € 100m was invested in youngsters, including Vinicius Jr., 18, from Brazil and Spain right-back Alvaro Odriozola. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who joined from Chelsea, was first hand-team arrival.
As a player, Lopetegui was a goalkeeper who had a back-up at both Madrid and Barcelona, and also played for Rayo Vallecano and Logrones.
He began his coaching career at Rayo, moved to Madrid's Castilla team then coached Spain's under 19s, U20s and U21s. He spent 18 months at Porto before leading the national team through qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
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