Lopetegui gambled everything and lost the lot after being sacked by Real Madrid

Julen Lopetegui's brief and inglorious reign as Real Madrid coach lasted just 139 days after the club confirmed he had been sacked.

Lopetegui was dismissed on Monday following a meeting of the board of directors, who concluded there had been a "great disproportion between the quality of the staff of Real Madrid...and the results obtained to date".

Santiago Solari, the club's B team coach, has been put in temporary charge and is now expected to lead Real for their Copa del Rey game against minnows Melilla on Wednesday.

The Argentinian could also remain in post for Saturday's La Liga match at home to Real Valladolid.

Lopetegui's last game proved a humiliation as Madrid were hammered 5-1 by rivals Barcelona in the Clasico on Sunday. The defeat was their fifth in seven games and, seemingly, convinced president Florentino Perez that change was required.

"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," a club statement read on Monday.

"The Board of Directors understands that there is a great disproportion between the quality of the staff of Real Madrid, which has eight players nominated for the next Golden Ball, something unprecedented in the history of the club, and the results obtained to date."
- Cracks appeared -
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"Those are the coaches with whom we've won titles. Managing the dressing room is more important than the knowledge of a coach."