Report: Solari to be named permanent Real Madrid manager
Santiago Solari, who was appointed caretaker manager of Real Madrid following the Oct. 29 dismissal of Julen Lopetegui, is now expected to keep the job until the end of the season.
Madrid filed relevant paperwork with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to promote Solari from his interim role, according to ESPN's Dermot Corrigan.
In accordance with RFEF rules, Los Blancos had until Nov. 12 - two weeks after Solari's initial hiring - to name a permanent manager. Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, Belgium's Roberto Martinez, and ex-Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim were reportedly considered for the job.
But it's Solari - who began the season as coach of Madrid's youth team - who's earned the trust of club president Florentino Perez. The 42-year-old Solari won each of his first four matches on the bench, with Madrid scoring 15 goals over that span.
Oft-criticized forward Karim Benzema has sprung to life since Solari replaced Lopetegui, showing with a brace versus Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League that he can lead the line.
Solari has also afforded opportunities to previously marginalized players Alvaro Odriozola, Sergio Reguilon, Lucas Vazquez, and Brazilian teenager Vinicius Junior.
The reigning European champions sit sixth in La Liga, but remain just four points behind league-leading Barcelona.