Real Madrid have announced that current Spain national team coach Julen Lopetegui will be the new club manager ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
The 51-year-old replaces Zinedine Zidane, who stepped down from his position last month after leading the Los Blancos to their third consecutive Champions League trophy.
Lopetegui has previously managed few Spanish clubs including Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid B team and the Spaniard will now return to club football after managing Spain for two years now.
Real Madrid wrote on their official website: “Julen Lopetegui will be the Real Madrid coach after the celebration of the 2018 World Cup.
“Real Madrid C. F. announce that Julen Lopetegui will be the coach of the first team during the next three seasons.
“Julen Lopetegui will join the club after Spain’s participation in the World Cup, after two years leading the national team.”
Antonio Conte, Mauricio Pochettino and Real youth team coach Guti were all linked with Real’s managerial hot seat but it appears that Real Madrid opted to appoint a familiar face.
During his playing career, Lopetegui played for both Real Madrid and Barcelona before entering football management in 2003. The former Porto boss led Spain’s Under-19 and Under-21 sides to European titles in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
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