‘It ended well’ – Former Real Madrid manager opens up on abrupt sacking within four months | OneFootball

Former Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has looked back on his short and turbulent spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, offering an honest reflection on what went wrong and how his relationship with the club remains to this day.

Lopetegui’s time in charge of Real Madrid was brief but intense. Appointed in July 2018, he managed only 14 games before being dismissed in October of the same year. 

His tenure began with a disappointing 2-4 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, and a run of inconsistent results quickly followed. 

The breaking point came after a 1-5 defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico, a result that ultimately cost him his job.

Reflection on his time at Real Madrid

Speaking in an interview with MARCA, Lopetegui opened up about his exit from the club and the circumstances that surrounded it.

When asked how his professional relationship with Real Madrid ended, Lopetegui said, “I think it ended well. 

“I have many friends there, and I will always have great affection for the years I spent as a goalkeeper and as a coach, first at Castilla and then with the first team. The relationship is very good today. 

“If you look at where Madrid finished that season, we weren’t doing so badly. 

“In October, when we left, we were seven points behind Barça, and it wouldn’t have been the first time that Real Madrid had come back from seven points behind.” 

Julen Lopetegui was sacked within just four months. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

It must be noted that Lopetegui arrived at Real Madrid just after he was sacked as the Spanish national team manager, which is a unique story in its own way.

“We were coming off a World Cup year, and the start of the season was difficult. A month before we left, we had played an excellent game against Roma. 

“We were excited and certain that we were going to do great things, but I understand Madrid’s demands. 

“It’s understandable that they decided to let us go. But look what happened: after two more coaches, they finished many points behind Barça. 

“That was the reality. I have a very good relationship with Jose Angel and with the president. When I see him, everything is fine. There’s no problem,” he noted.

The former Spain manager reflects a sense of understanding and perspective. 

Despite the abrupt ending, Lopetegui made it clear there are no hard feelings toward the club or its hierarchy.