Madrid Sack Lopetegui Over Poor Results
Less than five months after being hired to replace Zinedine Zidane, Spanish giants, Real Madrid have sacked their Manager Julen Lopetegui for poor performance since the season flagged off.
Lopetegui has been replaced by Santiago Solaris, who until his new appointment was in charge of Madrid’s junior team.
In the wake of their 5-1 humiliation in the hands of FC Barcelona during Sunday’s El-Clasico at Camp Nou, the European champions fired the former Spanish national team coach following the Madrid C.F. Board of Directors’ meeting on Monday.
According to the Board, “This decision, which was taken with the utmost responsibility, seeks to bring about a turnaround in the first-team’s fortunes at a time when all of this season’s targets are still achievable.”
A statement published on the club’s website further added that “The board considers there to be a large disparity between the quality within the Real Madrid squad, which boasts eight nominees for the next Ballon d’Or award – an unprecedented number in the club’s history – and the team’s results to date.
“The club places on record its thanks to Julen Lopetegui and all of his coaching staff for their efforts and work and wishes them all the best in their future careers.”
The statement also said “Santiago Solari will take temporary charge of the team, assuming his role as first-team coach from tomorrow, Tuesday.”
Interestingly, Lopetegui’s dismissal by Real Madrid is coming about five months after he was also sacked by the country’s football federation just two days before Spain’s opening match against Euro 2016 winners Portugal at the 2018 World Cup hosted by Russia.
The action had followed his unexpected announcement as the new man to take over at Real Madrid due to the unceremonious exit of Zindane from the club.
In his short stint as Real’s manager, Lopetegui was in charge of 14 games, winning six (6); drawing two (2); and losing six (6) – With agency reports
