Spain sack Julen Lopetegui: World Cup chaos for the 2010 winners

Real Madrid announced Lopetegui as their
new head coach yesterday

One-Minute Read

It was announced last night that Lopetegui had signed a
three-year deal to become Real Madrid’s new boss, but the timing –
and secrecy – of the appointment has caused chaos for Spain’s World
Cup preparations.

The 2010 World Cup winners play Portugal in their opening
group B match on Friday but Lopetegui won’t be in the
dugout.

Quoted by The Guardian, Spanish Football Association
president Luis Rubiales said: “We have been forced to dispense with
the national coach. We wish him the greatest of luck.

“The negotiations have occurred without any information to
the Spanish FA and we were informed just five minutes before the
press release. There’s a way to act that needs to be
fulfilled.

“You can’t do things this way, two or three days before
the World Cup. We have been compelled to make this
decision.”

Rubiales could not confirm who would be in charge in
Russia but said the Lopetegui saga will make the team “stronger”.
He added: “I have spoken with the players and I can guarantee they
will do everything, along with the new coach, to take the team as
far as possible.

“To win is very important, to have the best coach very
important, but above everything is acting in the right way. Maybe
this is tough now, but in the end it will make us
stronger.”

While the Spanish FA did not know about Lopetegui’s big move,
according to Marca, Real Madrid and Spain defender Sergio
Ramos was “apparently aware for some while of what was
coming”.