24 from the start of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Spanish national team is without a coach. The Iberian Federation has sacked Julen Lopetegui after signing with Real Madrid, announced just yesterday afternoon.
"We have decided to give up on Lopetegui," explained federal president Rubiales during the press conference held in the morning. The Football Federation has therefore decided not to condone what the main Iberian newspapers already call "high treason". “We were made aware of this circumstance – explained Rubiales – only five minutes before the announcement. Real Madrid were looking for a coach and they were looking for the best, that's legitimate. But a coach who has a contract with the Spanish federation cannot do things like this." To think that Lopetegui's contract as national coach was renewed just two weeks ago until 2020.
Tomorrow, June 14, the World Cup will begin in Russia and on Friday Spain will have to play the first, extremely difficult match in Group B against Portugal. The ousted coach will be replaced by Fernando Hierro, current technical director of the national team and former star of the national team and Real Madrid.
