Real Madrid appoint Julen Lopetegui: will the timing affect Spain’s World Cup chances?

Spain’s head coach signs three-year deal
with the Champions League winners

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The 51-year-old is currently getting Spain ready for Friday’s
group B game against Portugal, the reigning European champions, but
the Spanish media is now clamouring to know more about his Real
Madrid move.

Since Zinedine Zidane tendered his resignation last month,
days after guiding Real to a third consecutive Champions League
title, there has been feverish speculation as to who would replace
the Frenchman in the most demanding managerial position in world
club football.

Guti and Mauricio Pochettino were among the favourites for
the job but Real have gone for Lopetegui, who had been in charge of
Porto before taking over at the head of the Spanish national team
after their disappointing performance in the 2016
Euros.

Lopetegui’s career in focus

Lopetegui, who has signed a three-year deal, made one
senior appearance for Real Madrid but played the bulk of his
professional football for the distinctly less glamorous
Logrones.

While most of his coaching has been with the Spanish
national set-up – from the under-17s through the under-21s to the
senior squad – he has had two spells in club football.

Neither ended well, notes Sky Sports. The broadcaster reports: “He was
sacked from a brief spell in charge of Rayo Vallecano in Spain’s
second division in 2003. And left Portuguese club Porto after
failing to win any silverware from 2014-16.”

Real to pay full buy-out clause

The Spanish Football Federation released a statement in
which they said they would receive the “full buy-out clause” from
Real Madrid for Lopetegui and then asked the media “for maximum
respect in order that normality is kept in the national team’s
training camp just ahead of our first game at the World Cup against
Portugal”.

But there were less diplomatic words from the federation’s
vice-president, Rafael Del Amo, who said in a radio interview he
didn’t think “it’s the right time” to make such an announcement and
expressed concern that it could distract the squad ahead of
Friday’s crucial game.

What they are saying 

Rafael Del Amo, Spanish Football Federation
vice-president: “I didn’t like it, this isn’t the news I wanted to
hear at all. We have to be focused on where we are and what we’re
here to do. I think they [Real Madrid] should have looked for
another moment. Our players shouldn’t be impacted, they are super
professionals but they don’t like news… you can’t predict how some
will react, and for that reason this news isn’t timely.” 

Spanish daily newspaper Marca: “The likes of Mauricio Pochettino,
Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp had been touted for the role…
however Lopetegui’s exploits with Spain appear to have won out,
given that he remains unbeaten ahead of the tournament in Russia
having turned around an ageing team into one of the genuine
favourites for the crown.” 

Guillem Balague, Sky Sports columnist: “It has
been surprising for everybody. But if you look at it from the point
of view of Real Madrid, there weren’t really many alternatives out
there, and you are talking about somebody who has a brilliant
record with the national side.” 

Vicente del Bosque, Spain’s World Cup-winning
coach in 2010: “I always lean towards the Spanish coaches. I think
Lopetegui is ready to train Real Madrid.”

How the football world reacted to the
news

Not an easy start…

Expect Isco to play a big role.

Interesting timing.

No pressure then…

Should Manchester United fans be worried?

Not ideal for Spain.

He could have been manager of Wolves.

Biggleswade United send their congrats.