The Julen Lopetegui era is over at Real Madrid following a disastrous start to his reign.

Lopetegui lasted just 10 La Liga matches, winning only four, leaving the club in ninth position.

And after losing 5-1 to Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday, there was simply no way back for the former Spain boss.

Los Blancos wasted no time in appointing Santiago Solari as their interim manager but the search continues for a permanent boss.

Solari hasn’t even had time to get his feet under the desk but he needs to prepare for his first match as Real Madrid boss.

The European champions travel to Segunda Division B - Group 4 club Melilla for the first-leg of the Copa del Rey clash.

Solari’s side are expected to win comfortably and, as a result, he’s left some senior players in Madrid.

Gareth Bale, Isco, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric aren’t in the squad, while Dani Carvajal, Marcelo, Raphael Varane, Mariano and Jesus Vallejo all miss out through injury.

But one man that is in the squad is captain Sergio Ramos.

That wasn’t exactly Solari’s decision, though.

Solari had planned to also leave Ramos in Madrid but the defender requested the chance to play and help sort out the situation.

According to Marca, Ramos simply didn’t want to miss Solari’s first match in charge and asked to be involved.

That’s the sort of attitude you want from your captain in times of need.

Solari decided to grant Ramos' wish and, alongside Karim Benzema, will allow him to travel to Melilla - and he’ll most likely lead the team out.