Real Madrid have sacked manager Julen Lopetegui after their El Clasico defeat by
Barcelona.
The Spanish giants sit ninth in La Liga following their sixth league game without a win and their third successive defeat.
Barcelona ran out 5-1 winners thanks to a hat-trick from Luis Suarez and goals from Phillipe Coutinho and Arturo Vidal on Sunday afternoon.
Santiago Solari has been placed in interim charge after Antonio Conte reportedly ended talks over taking the role.
A club statement read: "The Board of Directors of Real Madrid CF, meeting today October 29, 2018, has agreed to terminate the contract of coach Julen Lopetegui.
"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.
"He will be provisionally replaced by Santiago Solari, who will lead the first team starting on Tuesday."
Before Sunday's clash, Lopetegui had insisted he was not concerned about his future.
"We have a game that is sufficiently attractive without having to think about these types of stories, which don't help me to prepare for the game," he said.
"I'm focused on my work as a coach which is trying to help the team improve. What the press say doesn't help me to win or improve my team, we're trying to prepare for a game which will be very demanding for us."
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