World Cup 2018: Sergio Ramos says it felt like a funeral after Spain chief Julen Lopetegui’s exit… then the skipper quit press conference
The Real Madrid captain appeared smiling with new national chief Fernando Hierro - but is still unhappy at how he was portrayed as the bad boy of the Champions League final
SERGIO RAMOS said he felt like he was at a funeral as he tried to pick his way through one of the biggest crises in Spanish football history.
Two days after national boss Julen Lopetegui was unceremoniously dumped, the Spain captain faced the media for the first time.
And Ramos had clearly had enough when, after being asked about that departure, he was questioned on his rough tactics in the Champions League final.
He said: “I sleep well. I have an easy conscience. Some people tried to use certain arguments to become more popular but I am who I am and I rest easy.
"If anyone has any doubts about me, they can check my CV.
“On that note, I’m going to finish this press conference now, it feels like we are in a funeral but we are actually at a World Cup which is a wonderful event.”
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With that he upped and left with new Spain coach Fernando Hierro following behind.
Ramos is clearly irritated at being painted as the bad guy after the Champions League final in Kiev where he cut short Mo Salah’s involvement by hauling him to the ground and injuring his shoulder.
He also elbowed Loris Karius in the head and it was later revealed the Liverpool goalkeeper had been concussed by the challenge.
Now he has had to handle the exit of Lopetegui.
He was dismissed on Tuesday when it was revealed he was going to quit the Spain job after the World Cup to become the new boss of Real Madrid.*
*Ramos admitted it had been a tough 48 hours in the Spanish camp.
He said: “These were not pleasant times. Julen Lopetegui was part of this effort. He helped us qualify.
“It has been a sensitive time I can promise you.
“I don’t know if anyone made a mistake but neither the coach nor me should answer that. The president of the Spanish Football Federation has had his say.
“It’s better if personal opinions are kept on a personal basis.
“Julen will be part of what happens in this World Cup. We have the same ambition as we had two days ago. No individuals come first in a national squad.”
Ramos denied their had been a split in the camp over Lopetegui’s departure with he himself believed to be one who fought to keep him.
He said: “There’s no breach. We have different opinions - that’s normal.
“The unit is the same, the goal is the same and nothing is going to change that.
“Problems are opportunities to grow. This will make us value the World Cup even more. A lot of work has gone into this. We need to enjoy it.
“Nothing has changed. We keep the same hunger, the same ambition. We need to play every match as if it’s our last. Even in the group stage.
“We need to live up to our standards. We shouldn’t use any of this as an excuse and focus on what we can do.”
Ramos was sat alongside the man who up until a couple of days ago was very much in the background as the Sporting Director of the Spanish Football Federation.
Now Hierro is very much in the spotlight as Spain prepare to face Portugal today in their Group B opener in Sochi.
Despite his lack of managerial experience - one season in charge of Real Oviedo - Ramos says he is the perfect man to step into the breach.
He said: “There are few people more qualified than Fernando Hierro to cover Julen Lopetegui’s departure.
“He’s a player we have admired - a perfect candidate to cover this post.”
Hierro addressed the players on the Fisht Stadium pitch before they started training yesterday and was applauded by them all.
His message to them is clear, to give it everything and see what they can achieve.
Hierro said: “You are going to see the Spanish squad that you are used to - one that likes to play beautifully - we are not going to deviate one iota from our concepts.
“We need to enjoy the experience and give it our all.
“We need to understand we gave 100 per cent when we leave this place. We will see how far we can go.”