Julen Lopetegui has said he planned to give Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior more first-team minutes and that the starlet "was going to play" before the Spaniard was fired from the club's helm in October.
Santiago Solari succeeded the tactician and is making a success from inducting the 18-year-old into his senior side.
Lopetegui appeared on El Partidazo (h/t Marca) and explained he had plans to develop the youngster over a longer period:
"I'm very grateful to Madrid for giving me the chance to coach an extraordinary team and I have a real affection for those who were my players so I wish them well.