Real Madrid crisis: Clasico loss against Barcelona could see Julen Lopetegui sacked
Spanish giants may turn to Antonio Conte after a dismal run of results
According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid head coach Julen Lopetegui could be out of a job if his side lose against Barcelona in this month’s El Clasico.
Going into this week’s international break, Real are fourth in La Liga with 14 points from their eight matches. On Saturday they were beaten 1-0 at Alaves. The loss means they are without a win – or a goal – in their last four matches.
With no Cristiano Ronaldo leading the attack this season, the goals have dried up for Lopetegui and Real. The club failed to sign a replacement for CR7 and this could come back to haunt the former Spain coach now that the pressure is on at the Bernabeu.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Clasico d-day for Lopetegui
While Real’s stars head off on international duty, Lopetegui will have his work cut out ahead of their return to La Liga action.
The Spanish newspaper AS reports that even with victories against Levante on 20 October and against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League on 23 October, Lopetegui’s future could be decided if Real suffer a bad result in their biggest fixture.
On 28 October Real travel to Barcelona. AS writer Marco Ruiz says that although now is not the time for the club to make a knee-jerk decision over Lopetegui, defeat at the Camp Nou “could trigger a change”.
Conte to take over?
The Daily Express says that Real have already settled on former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte to replace Lopetegui should they lose against Barcelona. Bernabeu bosses are reportedly set to meet today to discuss Lopetegui’s future and potential replacements.
The Daily Mail adds that former Real boss Jose Mourinho, who is currently under pressure at Manchester United, is also among the names being mentioned.
Safe for now
While Lopetegui’s time at Real could be short-lived – he only replaced Zinedine Zidane in June – the 52-year-old “isn’t in danger at the moment but is being questioned more and more” says the newspaper Marca.
According to a poll on the Marca website, fans believe that the main reason for Real Madrid’s crisis is down to the planning by the club’s sporting department. But in a separate poll, 59% of 11,000 votes don’t believe Lopetegui is the right coach to get Real back on track.
Sport.es has also analysed the reasons behind Real’s struggles this season. The newspaper has come up with “the 15 points that explain the crisis of Real Madrid”. At No.1 on the list is that the team “plays idle”.
Sport.es says: “The latest results, but above all the performances offered have placed the Julen Lopetegui team in a difficult situation. The contribution of Lopetegui to the team is null and the players do not answer either.
“This has led the team to a situation of crisis in which Lopetegui appears as the [one] responsible, but the performance of some players has also been questioned.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
2022 Uefa Champions League final: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid preview, predictions and TV
feature Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s showpiece in Paris
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Karim Benzema: Panenkas, hat-tricks and a Ballon d’Or?
Why Everyone’s Talking About Real Madrid’s French striker was sensational yet again in the Champions League
By Mike Starling Published
-
Champions League: ‘what a night, what delirium’ as Real Madrid knock out Chelsea
feature Karim Benzema’s extra-time header puts Real through after a stirring comeback from holders Chelsea
By Mike Starling Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published