ZCZC
BSP-10
FBL-WC-2018-ESP-LOPETEGUI-SACK
Lopetegui sacked by Spain on eve of World Cup
KRASNODAR, Russia, June 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Spain sacked coach Julen
Lopetegui just two days before the team’s opening game against Portugal at
the World Cup, Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales confirmed on
Wednesday.
In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, Real Madrid named Lopetegui as their
next manager to start work after the tournament in Russia, sparking outrage
among the federation and Spanish fans at the timing of the announcement.
At a severely delayed press conference at Spain’s World Cup base in
Krasnodar, Rubiales appeared to say he felt Lopetegui’s decision to join
Madrid so close to the start of the tournament “obliged” him to take drastic
action.
“I am here to say that we feel obliged to sack the national team manager,”
said Rubiales.
Lopetegui had signed a contract extension until 2020 just last month and
Rubiales is reportedly angry at only being informed of his decision to join
Real minutes before the European champions made the announcement public.
No decision has yet been made over who will take charge with Spain due to
face European champions Portugal in Sochi on Friday.
Lopetegui was appointed Spain’s coach in July 2016 and never tasted defeat
in the job, leading the team through 20 unbeaten games ahead of the World
Cup.
La Roja were among the favourites to lift the trophy this summer but this
astonishing upheaval, so close to the tournament, will surely affect the
players.
There were fears his appointment could open up old divisions between the
Real Madrid and Barcelona factions in the Spain squad.
For the first time since 2006, there are more players from Madrid in a
Spanish squad for a major tournament, with a six-strong Real contingent and
just Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets from Barca.
However, according to reports in the Spanish media, the players tried to
intervene at the last minute to prevent Rubiales sacking Lopetegui.
BSS/AFP/MRI/1633 hrs