Real Madrid speak on sacking Lopetegui before El Clasico clash with Barcelona

Real Madrid director, Emilio Butragueno, has insisted manager Julen Lopetegui, will remain in charge for Sunday’s El Clasico clash with Barcelona.

Champions League holders Madrid ended a five-match winless run in all competitions, with a 2-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday.

Reports before the game suggested Lopetegui would be sacked regardless of the result, yet Butragueno claims the club are planning to continue as normal ahead of the trip to Camp Nou.

“Lopetegui will sit on the bench at Camp Nou as normal,” he told Movistar.

“In these kind of situations, it is important to remain calm and trust the players. Sunday’s game is a great motivation for us.”

Pushed on the rumours Lopetegui would be sacked before El Clasico, Butragueno added: “It is normal. This is football. We have heard the rumours, but we have confidence and hopefully we will play well at Camp Nou.”