Lopetegui to remain in charge for El Clasico - Butragueno

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Reports have suggested Julen Lopetegui will be sacked by Real Madrid, but director Emilio Butragueno says the club are staying "calm".

Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno has insisted head coach Julen Lopetegui will remain in charge for Sunday's El Clasico clash with Barcelona.

Champions League holders Madrid ended a five-match winless run in all competitions with a 2-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday, but Lopetegui's men were far from convincing.

"Lopetegui will sit on the bench at Camp Nou as normal," he told Movistar. "In these kind of situations, it is important to remain calm and trust the players. Sunday's game is a great motivation for us."

Pushed on the rumours Lopetegui would be sacked before El Clasico, Butragueno added: "It is normal. This is football. We have heard the rumours, but we have confidence and hopefully we will play well at Camp Nou."

Madrid were jeered at times against Plzen, with fans turning on the home players as they granted the Czech side chance after chance and passed up opportunities of their own.

Butragueno is keen to improve the atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu, adding: "Real Madrid fans want to see their team play well, [and score] goals, goals, goals.

"The fans are very loyal but now we have to change this trend [of jeering]. We respect the public and in these moments we need the support of the people to improve this situation."