Julen Lopetegui pleads for more time amid growing pressure

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 05 October 2018

Madrid boss Lopetegui pleads for more time

Under-fire Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui says that he is not concerned about talk that his job is under threat following a three-game run without victory.

Julen Lopetegui has insisted that he should not be judged until the end of his first season at Real Madrid, amid reports that his job is under major threat.

The 52-year-old has seen his side go three matches without a win or a goal in La Liga and the Champions League.

Tuesday evening's shock 1-0 loss to CSKA Moscow followed fresh on the back of a 3-0 reverse at Sevilla and a goalless draw against Atletico Madrid, only ramping up the pressure on the Madrid boss.

Ahead of this weekend's trip to Alaves, however, Lopetegui has claimed that he does not fear being sacked during the international break.

"We don't analyse what people might think," he told reporters when asked about the press reports regarding his uncertain future. "We are working every day on trying to improve. The club's objectives are still intact and nothing more.

"You have to respect all opinions but it's logical that at a club like Real Madrid you are always under heavy examination. But we will be judged by what we achieve by the end of the season."

Los Blancos recruited ex-Spain boss Lopetegui as Zinedine Zidane's replacement during the summer.