Next Real Madrid manager: Roberto Martinez backed to succeed Julen Lopetegui

The 13-time European Cup winners parted ways with Lopetegui on Monday

Roberto Martinez should be named the next Real Madrid manager, according to Jorge Valdano.

The 13-time European Cup winners parted ways with Julen Lopetegui on Monday following the humiliating clasico defeat to Barcelona on Sunday.

Antonio Conte appeared to be leading the race to succeed him but late complications could yet see another candidate take on the role.

Valdano, a former manager and sporting director at the Bernabeu believes the Belgium boss is the right choice to do so.

"[Appointing Martinez] seems the best idea to me. A coach that could turn things around. He seems more adaptable than Conte," he told radio station Onda Cero.

"Conte has prestige because he's won in various countries, but Roberto [would] adapt to this team. It's not an easy job because there's no regular goalscorer."

Sunday's defeat at the Nou Camp leaves the club ninth in La Liga, seven points behind leaders Barca.

Lopetegui, who was named Real manager days before he was preparing to lead Spain into this summer's World Cup, won four of his 10 league games in charge.

Their last league win was a 1-0 win over Espanyol on September 22 and has been followed by four defeats and a draw.

Madrid were also beaten 1-0 by CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, where they are joint leaders with Roma in Group G with six points from three games.

Martinez is currently in charge of the Belgian national team (EPA)

Former Chelsea boss Conte appeared a near certainty to replace Lopetegui ​but reports began to emerge on Monday afternoon suggesting that the deal was becoming more complicated, and that Santiago Solari would be taking interim charge at the very least.

Solari, who is currently in charge of Madrid's B team, is seen as a safe pair of hands who could carry the team until either the end of the season or until a further change is deemed necessary.