World Cup 2018: Spain boss Julen Lopetegui SACKED one day before tournament kick-off after taking Real Madrid job
Real Madrid yesterday announced that Lopetegui would become their new manager after tournament in Russia
SPAIN have sensationally sacked boss Julen Lopetegui just one day before the World Cup begins.
Real Madrid yesterday confirmed that Lopetegui would become their new manager after the tournament in Russia.
Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales says he only found out Lopetegui, 51, was set to quit when he received a phone call just five minutes before Real's announcement.
Lopetegui's exit leaves La Roja in chaos just two days before their campaign gets under way with arguably the game of the group stage - a mouthwatering clash against neighbours Portugal.
Rubiales is furious Real's announcement has overshadowed Spain's preparations so close to the start of the tournament and admits he had no replacement lined up - before it was later announced that technical chief Fernando Hierro would take on the job.
Asked about who would lead Spain at the tournament, Rubiales admitted: "We don't know anything yet. The only thing I can say is that we will try to disrupt things as little a possible.
“I found out (Lopetegui was leaving) with one or two calls five minutes before the official announcement. We have been forced to make this decision, I do not go into how one or another club acts.
“Real Madrid are looking for a coach and is looking for the best, that is normal, I will not say anything about that.
“But while that coach is working for the Spanish Federation you can not do things this way.
“You have to have a clear message for all the workers inside the Football Federation that there is a way to act and behave.
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“I don’t feel cheated, the problem was the total lack of clarity with the Spanish Football Federation, that is something that cannot happen. Lopetegui is an impeccable professional but actions are important.
“I have spoken with the players, they reacted well and will do everything possible together with the new management team to win the World Cup.
“Winning is very important but there are more important things, such as the ways of working, which is why, even though Lopetegui is a top coach, we have been forced to take this decision.
“We are grateful to Julen for everything he has done because he is one of the people most responsible for getting us to Russia. But we felt we were obliged to sack him."
Lopetegui, who previously managed Porto, Rayo Vallecano and the Real Madrid B team, has been the national team boss for the past two years.
He was only appointed after Spain's Euro 2016 campaign, with this summer's World Cup being his first and last major tournament as national team boss.
The move comes as a surprise, with Lopetegui not featuring prominently among the managers linked with the role since the departure of Zinedine Zidane in the wake of Madrid's 3-1 victory over Liverpool in the Champions League final.
Zidane left Los Blancos after leading them to an unprecedented third straight title in Europe's top club competition.
Former goalkeeper Lopetegui, 51, made a sole league appearance for Madrid as a player, and later turned out for rivals Barcelona a handful of times.
He coached Madrid's feeder club Castilla in 2008-09 before taking charge of Spain's youth teams.
In May he signed a two-year contract extension to remain as Spain boss until 2020, but the lure of Madrid has proved too strong.
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