Albert Celades brought in as Lopetegui's assistant at Real Madrid LaLiga Most recently Spain U21 boss

Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui will be assisted by former Spain Under-21 boss Albert Celades for the upcoming campaign.

The former defensive midfielder was considered a candidate to take charge of the Spanish national team after Lopetegui was dismissed in the build-up to the World Cup, and ended up leaving his post with La Roja in the aftermath.

On Friday, Los Blancos confirmed Celades as Lopetegui's No. 2 and it is a return to the club following his stint as a player in the 2000s.

Coming through the Barcelona academy, the 42-year-old spent five seasons at Real Madrid and won two LaLiga titles, the same number as he claimed at the Camp Nou.

In terms of his coaching career, Celades has only been part of the Spanish youth setup, managing the Under-16s for four years before taking the U21s over in 2014.