Spain have officially sacked Julen Lopetegui as head coach just 24 hours before the World Cup after shock Real Madrid appointment.
Julen Lopetegui has been sacked as manager of Spain, after taking the Real Madrid job on Tuesday.
Lopetegui was announced as Zinedine Zidane's successor earlier this week in a move that surprised many.
The announcement initially claimed that the 51-year-old would take the reigns at Santiago Bernabeu after the conclusion of the tournament, but La Roja have acted now.
"We have to decided to fire the national coach," read a statement from the Spanish Football Federation president, Luis Rubiales. "What we have achieved in getting here is due in great part to him, and we must thank him and wish him luck."
"The Spain team is the team of all Spaniards. You can't do things this way, two or three days before the World Cup. We have been obliged to make this decision."
The stunning development threatens to destabilise a team regarded as one of the favourites to win the tournament in Russia.
Spain face Portugal on Friday, and will also face Iran and Morocco in Group B.
chaarman
589
so Real Madrid just knocked Spain out of the world cup [Hitface]
Zozalmsty
294
how could they do this ? did he agreed with RM without the knowledge of Spanish FA?.. it's not at all possible..!! And now sacking manager just 1 day b4 world cup?
ForeverAcclaim
274
wtf just happened
Craig89
257
there must be something wrong between Spain and Real Madrid
Or4nj3_K4st4nj3_
208
Rip world cup title
Madrista_forever
114
real Madrid just made Spain loose the world cup before it even started what a dumbass move by the coach who had all the countries hopes behind does he even know what he is going into,if he fails in real he will sacked within six months and real will go for a new coach in January,Perez just spoilt the career of another person and this time it's spain's coach I will never forgive him,Spain was the favourite.to win this year's world cup and it will take some time for new coach and it's members to adapt to his laying style wtf is going on Spain right now,he has to win laliga,Copa if he wants to continue at real next season otherwise it's a new coach and once again the same old story of Perez with 11 coaches in 13 years,and he will not come close to UCL because he is going to loose bale first and then the prime aspect cr7,that concludeds the bad days will turn into worst for real Madrid get ready for the downfall and once again it will be the same old real who failed to live to standards and compete with Barca,the king is going to move on to conquer some other kingdom and leave this palace to it's own.
zataeklz
109
Real Madrid would have waited for the announcement until WC is over
goblues
99
it's all coming together..and Zizou will be announced as head coach..[Spittongue]
TheAbuNadirah
96
lets Karius be spain's coach for the world cup
Ronaldoscr7
83
[Cry][Cry][Cry][Cry]
Zawad151
81
That was Nasty as well as bold.....Spain is now done....Because of the stupidity of real madrid
AbhijaiSingh
73
Now if they hire Zinadine Zidane. I'll be laughing till insanity.
Willzy
66
two issues at hand now, coach not informing the boeard, its wrong any way, but why, and how could the board too do such a mistake, for sacking a coach who has train his players with his own way of stile and now that the players have adopted his techniques you said you are sacking him. ah! wrong. just a day to world cup. cho spain must re -consider this. all the same i wish them well bcus my coutry did not qualify this year.
hikcnpry
60
Spanish FA has taken the right decision, he can't serve two masters at the same time. Will he scout for players in the tournament for RM or he is going concentrate on leading Spain national team?
Alihaziq
51
oh now the in my opinion world cup favorites are now the least favorite to win becuz new manager just one day before wc is damn wrong how can the players cooperate in just one day well good luck lopetegui for real job
Lionel_Messi10
47
Wtf!!! What is this?? Now Spain won’t win the World Cup... Lopetogui had a system built for the team and now the new manager will have to make his own with the team. Why would the Spanish FA sack him this late... should’ve waited till after the WC but oh well. One national team less...
zizabcnyz
35
If Spain can't win the championship this year, it's fault with Benzema. If he doesn't reach the Champions League final, Real Madrid won't win two consecutive titles, Real Madrid won't win three straight titles, Zidane won't retreat from the rapids, Zidane won't rush back. Real Madrid will not sign Loppetjee, Real Madrid do not sign Lopetterji "the Spanish Football Association would not want to fire him for a change, if Spain does not change the coach, Spain may not win the title and all the hell blame Benzema."