Daily Times

European champions Real Madrid sacked coach Julen Lopetegui on Monday after the club’s disastrous performance against arch-rivals FC Barcelona in Sunday’s El Clasico.

Barcelona thrashed Madrid 5-1 on Sunday in the first Clasico of the season with a hat-trick from forward Luis Suarez and goals from Brazilian midfielder maestro Philippe Coutinho and new-signing Arturo Vidal.

After going 2-0 down at half-time, Madrid pulled one back via Marcelo at minute 50 but that was the only goal Madrid could score on the night. Lopetegui was already under immense pressure after a couple of defeats from bottom-table teams descended Madrid down the table.

The Clasico saw the whites go ninth in the league table, and it seems as if Madrid had had enough of the tactician. Lopetegui, who left Spain during Russia 2018 World Cup to join Real Madrid, will be replaced by Madrid B team coach Santiago Solari, who also is a former player.

A club statement announced the decision: “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.”

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