Another Era Begins As Lopetegui Takes Over Real Madrid
Spain’s National team Coach, Julen Lopetegui has been named to replace Zinedine Zidane as the new manager of reigning UEFA Champions League kings, Real Madrid.
A former goalkeeper, the 51-year-old Lopetegui, who signed a three-year contract, will resume his new position at the end of Russsia 2018 World Cup on July 15, 2018.
After leading the Los Blancos to three successive Champions League titles, Zidane surprised the sporting world by stepping down in May at Santiago Bernabéu. Real finished third in La Liga last season, 17 points behind champions Barcelona.
Lopetegui, whose appointment was announced on Tuesday, had managed FC Porto of Portugal for two years, before taking over as the Spanish national team Manager in July 2016.
A former goalkeeper, the 51-year-old Lopetegui will resume his new position at the end of the Mundial on July 15, 2018.
Julen Lopetegui Argote, pronounced ˈjulen lopeˈteɣi aɾˈɣote in Spanish, was born on August 28, 1966. He played 149 games in La Liga over 11 seasons, appearing in the competition for Real Madrid, Club Deportivo Logroñés, Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano.
The new Real boss also added 168 matches in Segunda División with three clubs, and represented Spain at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
Lopetegui began coaching in 2003 as Assistant Manager and spent several years in charge of Spain’s Under-17 team, then managed Spain at Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 levels. He led the under-19 and under-21 sides to European titles before joining Porto
