BY BEN MEMULETIWON
Less than 24 hours to the kick-off of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, 2010 champions, Spain, have sacked their head coach, Julen Lopetegui, after he was named the new Real Madrid boss to replace Qatar-bound Zinedine Zidane.
The shocking development, according to reports from Russia, has thrown the Spanish camp into utter confusion. Things seems to have started falling apart for the former World Champions two days before their opener against Portugal.
Real Madrid announced, only Tuesday, that Lopetegui would succeed Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu on a three-year-deal.
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) said it had dismissed the 51-year-old because the negotiation occurred “without any information to the RFEF”.
“I know it’s a very difficult situation. I know there’s going to be criticism whatever I do,” RFEF president Luis Rubiales said. “I’m sure this will, in time, make us stronger. I admire Julen very much, I respect him very much. He seems a top trainer and that makes it harder to make the decision.
“You can’t do things this way, two or three days before the World Cup. We have been compelled to make this decision.”
