Spain have sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the World Cup.
The Spanish FA president cited the manner of the announcement that Lopetegui would join Real Madrid after the tournament. He learned of the change only 5 minutes before the announcement was made.
Spain, who play their first group game against Portugal on Friday, will announce a replacement this afternoon.
Lopetegui has signed a three-year deal to succeed Zinedine Zidane with the Champions League holders and it was decided that in the circumstances it was inappropriate for him to continue with Spain.
The Spanish Football Association president, Luis Rubiales, was supposed to be at Fifa’s congress in Moscow on Wednesday but flew to Spain’s training base late on Tuesday night to deal with the matter.
“We have been forced to dispense with the national coach. We wish him the greatest of luck,” said Rubiales.
“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.”
Asked who would be taking over, he added: “We are going to touch as little as possible. We are working on it. When we know we will tell you. “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.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
