Action-reaction. As was expected, Barça's 5-1 crushing defeat of Real Madrid yesterday has drawn an immediate reaction and sealed Lopetegui's fate. Florentino Pérez has tired of waiting for results from Julen Lopetegui and Sunday's Clásico in Camp Nou has been the last straw. The manager is out, just months after joining the reigning European champions.
Lopetegui had moved to Madrid four months ago. This had already caused an earthquake in Spanish football as it led to him being fired as manager of the national team just two days before the start of their World Cup campaign. "Today is the happiest day of my life", he said at his presentation as Madrid's new manager.
Since then, however, neither the hoped-for results nor goals have materialised. Indeed, he'll go down in history for all the wrong reasons: the longest goalless streak in club history, 481 minutes without scoring. Of 14 matches, he managed to chalk up 6 victories to 6 defeats and 2 draws. And the losses included the UEFA Super Cup against Atlético Madrid.