SOCCER! Real Madrid announce Spain national team coach Julen Lopetegui as next Manager

Real Madrid has named Spain national team coach Julen Lopetegui, 51, as the next manager of the Spanish club following the departure of Zinedine Zidane.

The news comes just weeks after Julen committed his future to Spain's national team by signing a deal until 2020 on May 22 but will be joining the Spanish giants after the World Cup tournament in Russia.


The club said in an official announcement: 'Julen Lopetegui will be the Real Madrid coach after the celebration of the 2018 World Cup.

'Real Madrid 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.' 

Julen Lopetegui, a former goalkeeper who played 149 games in La Liga over 11 seasons, appearing in the competition for Real Madrid, Logroñés, Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano will spend three seasons at Madrid.