Real Madrid confirm sacking Julen Lopetegui as coach

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Julen Lopetegui is no longer the Real Madrid coach after four months charge at the Bernabeu, the club confirmed.

The Spanish giants announced the news on Monday after Real Madrid suffered a big loss in a derby game against Barcelona. The temporary replacement will be Santiago Hernan Solari.

"The Real Madrid C.F. board of directors, which met on October 29, 2018, has made the decision to terminate Julen Lopetegui's contract as the club's coach," said a statement on Real Madrid official website.

"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."

Real Madrid tweeted the decision on official account.

The 52-year-old Spaniard succeeded Zinedine Zidane's duty in June with four wins, two draws, and four losses during the last 10 La Liga games in charge, leaving Real in ninth place on the table.

Florentino, Real Madrid's chairman, sacked the coach after Real lost five in six games. However, thanks were given to Julen Lopetegui and all of his coaching staff for their efforts.

Lopetegui will be "provisionally replaced" by Santiago Solari, the coach of B team Castilla, from Tuesday.

Julen Lopetegui looks dejected after Real Madrid's 1-5 loss to Barcelona, October 29, 2018. /VCG Photo

Lopetegui has now lost two jobs in under five months after being fired by the Spanish Football Federation as coach of the national team the day before the World Cup started in June as a result of announcing his move to Real Madrid behind the organization's back.

According to the Spanish Federation rules, the clubs have 14 days to name a permanent successor, meaning that Argentine Solari, who played for Real between 2000 and 2005, could potentially be in charge of four first-team games.

(With inputs from Reuters)