‘Solari to be named permanent coach’
Spanish giants on the up since he took over from Lopetegui
Santiago Solari will become Real Madrid’s permanent coach until the end of the season, according to papers filed with the Spanish football association, the sports channel ESPN reported yesterday.
The 42-year-old Argentine has led the team to four wins in four games since replacing Julen Lopetegui at the helm of the European champions two weeks ago. Spanish rules prevent an interim coach from staying in charge for longer than 15 days, which expired yesterday, without being appointed on a permanent basis.
The Spanish Football Association (RFEF) told ESPN that Madrid had filed papers to hire Solari on that basis.
With victories over Melilla in the Copa del Rey, Viktoria Plzen ■ in the Uefa Champions League, and Real Valladolid and Celta Vigo in La Liga, Solari has enjoyed the best start of any manager in the club’s history.
Lopetegui was sacked after a run of form that saw Madrid sink to ninth in the table, but after Sunday’s 4-2 win at Celta, the capital club are sixth, four points behind leaders Barcelona.
Lopetegui was dismissed after an embarrassing 5-1 defeat at arch-rivals Barcelona, his fourth loss in the last of his five La Liga games in charge.
Newspapers were unanimous in support of the 42-yearold Solari who has lifted Real up three places to sixth in the table in the space of a fortnight.
AS said: “Solari deserves to continue (as manager) after 15 goals in four matches.”
Marca said the lack of an official announcement showed the club had abandoned the idea of an external replacement for Lopetegui in favour of Solari.
And Catalonia-based Sport had “Real players extend Solari’s contract” as their headline yesterday.
Real’s next fixture and possibly Solari’s maiden match as long-term boss is the trip to Eibar in La Liga on November 25.
They closed the gap on Barca by defeating Celta after the Liga leaders slumped to a shock 4-3 defeat at home to Real Betis.