Real Madrid have sacked Julen Lopetegui – and reports claim chiefs would love Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho to take over at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid have lost patience with Lopetegui following their 5-1 defeat in El Clasico to Barcelona on Sunday. Los Blancos have won just one match from their last seven outings and Luis Suarez’s hat-trick for Barcelona has helped force their hand. Real Madrid would love for Mourinho to replace Lopetegui, despite the 55-year-old leaving the Bernabeu in controversial circumstances five years ago. Yet two details on Manchester United’s stance regarding their manager have made that look impossible. Spanish website Ok Diario say the Red Devils’ upturn in form means they do not want to let him go.
A month ago, Mourinho seemed a dead man walking. A report from the Mirror claimed he would be sacked regardless of their result against Newcastle. Manchester United went on to beat Rafa Benitez’s side, though, and have also picked up four points from matches with Everton and Chelsea. The Red Devils’ improved form means Mourinho is safe. And Ok Diario also claims that United are unwilling to renege on their agreement with Mourinho. The 55-year-old signed a contract extension back in January, with that deal expiring in 2020. And United are reportedly keen for that to run its course.
Real, meanwhile, confirmed Lopetegui’s sacking in a statement released on Monday evening. “The Board of Directors of Real Madrid CF, meeting today October 29, 2018, has agreed to terminate the contract that linked coach Julen Lopetegui with the club,” they said. “This decision, adopted from the highest level of responsibility, aims to change the dynamics of the first team, when all the objectives of this season are still achievable. “The Board of Directors understands that there is a great disproportion between the quality of the staff of Real Madrid, which has 8 players nominated for the next Golden Ball, something unprecedented in the history of the club, and the results obtained to date. “The club thanks Julen Lopetegui and all his technical team for their effort and work and wishes them the best in their professional career. “It will be provisionally replaced by Santiago Solari, who will lead the first team starting tomorrow, Tuesday.”
