European champions Real Madrid have decided to part ways with manager Julen Lopetegui, a day after the club were thrashed 5-1 by arch-rivals Barcelona in El Clasico.
Lopetegui has been in charge since the start of the season but has overseen a terrible start to the league which sees them languish at the ninth spot.
Real Madrid Castilla coach and former player Santiago Solari will take charge of the team for the time being.
Real Madrid’s statement says the decision has been taken “in a bid to change the run of results that the team was in, with all the team’s season objectives still possible.”
A club statement read: “Real Madrid’s board met today on 29 Oct 2018 and has agreed to end the contract linking coach Julen Lopetegui with the club. This decision has been taken to change the dynamic in which the first team finds itself, when all the 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. The club thanks Julen Lopetegui and all his staff for their effort and the work done, and wishes them all the best in their professional careers.”
