The day after Real Madrid's crushing 5–1 defeat away to Barcelona, the club held a press conference at the Bernabéu Stadium.
President Florentino attended in person and announced the dismissal of head coach Lopetegui. Technical Director Valdano, who had made immense contributions to the club, also stepped down to take responsibility. The difference was that Lopetegui had been sacked, while Valdano had resigned voluntarily.
The Argentine was getting on in years, and he wanted to retire.
Florentino showed grace, thanking Lopetegui and Valdano, but he also stressed that the team's problems were now so serious that they had to be addressed.
"Clearly, with our squad and our quality, there is absolutely no reason for us to be playing like this!"
Florentino said Real Madrid would immediately begin discussions among its senior management, hoping to finalize an action plan for the current situation as soon as possible. The final outcome would be announced in the near future.
With Real Madrid's management yet to choose its next head coach, Second Team head coach Solari would temporarily take charge of the first team, following a long-standing tradition at the club.
The club's celebrated former coach Bosque had served as interim first-team head coach several times while managing the Second Team. In the 1999–2000 season, he became the most successful emergency appointment in Real Madrid's history, leading the team to the Champions League title.
Florentino promised that management would settle the nerves of the team and its supporters as quickly as possible and would deliver measures that satisfied them.
As for the Real Madrid fans calling for Yang Yang's return, Florentino said he had heard them.
"I understand how Real Madrid fans feel at this moment. Yang Yang is the greatest player in Real Madrid's history, and he is still the best player in