Solari in for Lopetegui
Madrid, Oct. 30: Santiago Solari said he is open to becoming Real Madrid coach long-term after being put in temporary charge on Monday following the sacking of Julen Lopetegui.
Solari has been promoted from his role as manager of the club’s ‘B’ team, Castilla, and took training for the first time on Tuesday morning at Madrid’s base in Valdebebas.
The Argentinian, who spent five years playing for Madrid between 2000 and 2005, will be in charge for their Copa del Rey game away to Melilla on Wednesday. He has not ruled out becoming Lopetegui’s permanent successor.
“I’m going to go into things very positively,” Solari said at his opening press conference on Tuesday.
“I will do everything I can. It’s a great opportunity and it’s a great club. I don’t just say that now as coach of the first team. I’ve been here with other teams, I’ve played and sweated in the shirt of this club. Madrid is bigger than all of us but it touches us all with its greatness. I want to be a part of it,” he said.
Solari is likely to remain in post for Real’s La Liga game at home to Real Valladolid on Saturday and could stay on for next week’s trip to Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League.
Madrid have sounded out forrmer Chelsea and Juventus coach Antonio Conte but initial talks have reportedly not gone smoothly. Belgium boss Roberto Martinez and the club’s former midfielder Guti have also been linked.
Solari, however, is the man in position and a run of positive results could turn opinion in his favour.
Asked about his strategy against Melilla, he said “the idea is to go there and play with balls”.