Travel tee released as Real Madrid faced the tough task of replacing Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo. Julen Lopetegui started the season as manager but was sacked following a 5-1 defeat in the El Classico and was replaced by Santiago Solari. Due to an array of disappointing results, including the Champions League exit against Ajax, the Argentine manager was dismissed by the club just after 5 months in charge with Zinedine Zidane making an unexpected return as head coach