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| Julen Lopetegui, Former Spain Coach |
The news of World Cup 2018 qualifying Spain team coach Julen Lopetegui being sacked two days before playing the first game against Portugal team in the Group Round took the footballing world by storm.
Julen Lopetegui, who was announced to be the successor for Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid, was sacked by the Spain Footballing Association (FA) on Tuesday stating that the deal was not made with the knowledge of the Spain FA.
Lopetegui had joined the Spanish team as the coach in 2016 and had a good track record of winning 14 of the 20 games played and drawing in the other 6. The senior players of the Spain team fought to keep him as the coach but Spanish Federation Chief Luis Rubiales was furious at the knowledge of Julen’s association with Real Madrid.
The former Spanish goalkeeper has signed a three-year contract with Los Blancos. He now has to spend the summer without work. He has been replaced by the Assistant Manager of Spanish U-21 Albert Helades and Spanish Sporting Director Fernando Hierrero.
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| Fernando Hierrero, Current Spain Coach |
The now Real Madrid coach held a press conference stating that the news of his dismissal from the coaching position was one of the saddest day of his life.
“Yesterday, after the death of my mother, was the saddest day of my life.”
“I would have liked Rubiales to have done things differently. I think respect is earned and we have earned it. My staff and I have worked really hard but our dream was taken away by them.”
But he assured that he will be cheering for Spain from the side lines.
“The players have a great challenge ahead. They are well prepared and hopefully we have the luck needed to win the world cup.”
On the other hand, Spain Chief Luis Rubiales explained his side of the event at a press conference. He said that Spain FA was kept in the dark till the last minute about the agreement between Real Madrid and the Spain coach.
“We only found out five minutes before that he was leaving for Madrid. The federation could not be left outside the negotiation of one of its employees and find out just five minutes before the public announcement.”
He added that the federation needs to be kept in loop under such circumstances.
“If anybody wants to talk to our employee, they have to speak to us too, this is basic, as it is a team of Spaniards. The national team is the most important. There is a way you must act, Julen was great with the team but we cannot accept this approach of his.”
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| Julen with Spain football team |
Sergio Ramos, Captain of the Spain team, in his first press conference in Russia mentioned that the team feels like they are at a funeral. He said this and left the press conference.
“These are not pleasant times. Julen Lopetegui was part of this effort. He helped us qualify. It has been a sensitive time, I can promise you,” said Ramos expressing his disappointment at the event.
“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.”
Spain is just hours away from facing Ronaldo’s side, the future and the performance of the team will be watched by the world with hawk eyes. In this uncertain times, will they thrive with the support of their new coach is one of the most anticipating moments in World Cup 2018.
