Julen Lopetegui was fired by Real Madrid last week after just four-and-a-half months in charge.The 52-year-old coach was previously sacked by Spain on the eve of the World Cup after he agreed to take the Real Madrid job.His job at the Santiago Bernabeu looked in real danger before they visited league leaders Barcelona in La Liga last Sunday.Real Madrid were beaten 5-1 in El Clasico and Lopetegui was gone less than 24 hours later.Under Santiago Solari's command, Real Madrid ended their five-game winless run with a 2-0 victory over Real Valladolid on Saturday.Lopetegui's star-studded squad may have struggled to perform on the pitch but they continued to publicly defend him until he was relinquished of his duties.Dani Carvajal, who won three Champions League titles under Zinedine Zidane, has shared his opinion on Lopetegui exactly one week after his sacking.It's raised a few eyebrows among Real Madrid supporters."For me, he [Lopetegui] is the best coach that I have had," Carvajal told TVE, as per Eurosport. "Unfortunately, he lacked the bit of luck necessary to continue with us."His way of seeing football, his way of managing the group, of being with the players, is something I share.

"I said it before he arrived at Real Madrid, I'm still saying it now he´s gone, and I will keep saying it until I have a coach that's better than him."

Real Madrid fans on social media were pretty bemused by Carvajal's comments.

Zidane remarkably won nine trophies during his two-and-a-half year spell in Madrid before resigning.

Carvajal also won the Champions League under Carlo Ancelotti.

The Real Madrid players did appear to like Lopetegui despite his inability to get the best out of them.

Last week, Toni Kroos described Lopetegui as a "great coach" and a "great person" in a tribute on social media.

Can Real Madrid defy the odds to win a fourth consecutive Champions League title? Let us know your opinion by leaving a comment below.