Real Madrid sacks Lopetegui as coach

Real Madrid have sacked coach Julen Lopetegui three months into his first season in charge after the Spanish giants were beaten by arch rivals Barcelona.

Former Real Madrid player Santiago Solari has been named the interim head coach while the club looks for a full-time replacement.

Real have failed to win in the league since beating Espanyol on Sept. 22, losing to Sevilla, Alaves, Levante and drawing with Atletico Madrid before Sunday’s 5-1 thrashing by Barcelona.

Former Chelsea, Italy and Juventus boss Antonio Conte is the favourite to succeed Lopetegui, who has now lost two jobs in the space of under five months.

Lopetegui, 52, was fired by the Spanish Football Federation as coach of the national team the day before the World Cup started in June for announcing his move to Real behind the organisation’s back, throwing Spain’s tournament preparations into chaos.

The 52-year-old Lopetegui managed just 14 games at the Bernabeu with the Clasico embarrassment bringing his brief reign to an end