Real Madrid crisis deepens with Sergio Ramos denying he will play role in sacking Julen Lopetegui as Antonio Conte and Arsene Wenger wait in wings

Football news - transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures | The Sun

Real Madrid crisis deepens with Sergio Ramos denying he will play role in sacking Julen Lopetegui as Antonio Conte and Arsene Wenger wait in wings

REAL MADRID are in crisis after another shock defeat with captain Sergio Ramos denying he could play a role in pushing out manager Julen Lopetegui.

The Spanish giants lost 2-1 at home to Levante on Saturday – their fifth game without a victory.

Julen Lopetegui was only appointed in the summer but is now hanging onGetty - Contributor Real Madrid were shocked 2-1 by LevanteGetty - Contributor

The match did at least see them end their goal drought but not before the embarrassing barren run reached 465 minutes before Marcelo found the back of the net.

But his 72nd minute goal wasn’t enough for the reigning Champions League holders to recover having gone 2-0 down at the Bernabeu inside 13 minutes.

Inevitably, speculation is mounting over Lopetegui’s position following his appointment as Zinedine Zidane’s successor over the summer.

Ramos gave Lopetegui his backing after the game but said even if he turned against the former Spain manager it wouldn’t necessary spell the end of his time at the helm.

Sergio Ramos played in the defeatGetty Images - Getty

The Real Madrid skipper said: “It’s a very bad run that Madrid cannot afford.

“Not picking up the three points, today the team gave everything but at other times we have had more luck.

“Individual mistakes have condemned us but we should not point the finger at anyone, the only way to turn this around is to be united.

“Lopetegui is a very motivating person, he convinces, and we have to believe, he is the first to believe, we need unity.

“If I am asked for an opinion, I give it, but I do not think that an opinion of mine could influence such an important decision as the coach’s continuity.”

REAL MADRID NEWS

footy live Real Madrid 2-0 down to Levante at half-time

REAL MADRID 1 LEVANTE 2 Los Blancos set record goal drought then score but still lose

FIRING BLANCOS Real Madrid break record for longest goalscoring drought in club's history

REAL ISSUES Real Madrid vs Levante: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time and team news

ASKING PRICE Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool on alert as Real Madrid set £100m Marco Asensio fee

WEN, NOT IF Wenger has many options... Madrid and Bayern could be among them if he waits

Lopetegui joined Real Madrid from the Spanish national teamReuters Gareth Bale was in the side that were unable to win on SaturdayAFP or licensors

Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger have both been linked with the role should it become vacant.

For now though Lopetegui is confident he will remain in charge.

He said: “I feel more encouraged than ever to continue because the team gave their heart and soul on the pitch.

“Sooner or later, we will come out of this. The dressing room was sad but the players are keen to lift themselves up and look to the next game.

Antonio Conte is being linked with the job and is currently availableGetty Arsene Wenger is also currently available after being pushed out of Arsenal after 22 yearsGetty Images - Getty

“The players gave everything and we will get out of this situation.”

Real Madrid have 14 points from a possible 27, leaving them fifth in the table.

Next weekend they take on Barcelona in El Clasico.

more info...