Real Madrid sack Lopetegui after humiliating Barcelona loss

Julen Lopetegui's time is up in the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid fired the former Spain manager Monday, a day after the club's humiliating 5-1 rout by Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

Santiago Solari - who's been serving as boss for the club's reserve squad Real Madrid Castilla - will oversee the first team on an interim basis. It's unclear who Los Blancos have in mind to permanently succeed Lopetegui, as previously reported talks with former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte were said to have broken down Monday following blowback from key players on the squad.

In 14 matches, Lopetegui steered Los Blancos to six wins, two draws, and six defeats across all competitions. Following the latest loss to their bitter rivals, Real Madrid sit ninth in La Liga, seven points adrift of Barcelona atop the table.

"This decision, which was taken with the utmost responsibility, seeks to bring about a turnaround in the first-team's fortunes at a time when all of this season's targets are still achievable," Real Madrid's statement reads.

"The board considers there to be a large disparity between the quality within the Real Madrid squad, which boasts eight nominees for the next Ballon d'Or award - an unprecedented number in the club's history - and the team's results to date."

Lopetegui's tenure with the reigning Champions League winners was marked with controversy from the outset. The 52-year-old was dismissed from his post as Spain boss on the eve of the World Cup after his agreement with Real Madrid was publicly confirmed in June.

Lopetegui has yet to earn a top-flight title in three stints as a manager at club level. The retired goalkeeper launched his managerial career with Rayo Vallecano for the 2003-04 season but was sacked two months into the campaign. Following a stint as an on-air personality with Spanish broadcaster laSexta, he achieved international success with Spain's youth setup from 2010 to 2014, guiding the Under-19 and Under-21 sides to the European Championship in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

He later returned to club football in May 2014, agreeing to take charge at Portuguese giants Porto, but his contract was terminated in January 2016 after failing to win any silverware with the Primeira Liga side.