The inside story of Julen Lopetegui's sacking as Spain boss just two days before World Cup 2018 opener with Portugal
Lopetegui was confirmed as Real Madrid's new boss on Tuesday and was due
to take over after the World Cup before Spain's shock announcement
Spain have sensationally axed boss Julen Lopetegui just two days before their World Cup opener.
Lopetegui was confirmed as Real Madrid's new boss on Tuesday, replacing Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu following his sudden decision to go.
The
51-year-old agreed a three-year deal with Real to take over after the
World Cup, despite signing a new contract with Spain just a matter of
weeks ago.
The announcement has plunged the 2010 world champions into chaos, just over 48 hours ahead of their Group B opener with Portugal.
Spanish federation chief Luis Rubiales was left furious at the timing of the decision and claims he found out about Lopetegui's decision minutes before Real Madrid confirmed the appointment.
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui during training on Tuesday
(Image: REUTERS)
Julen Lopetegui with Luis Rubiales and Sergio Ramos upon arrival in Russia
Luis Rubiales during the press conference
The 40-year-old jetted into the Spain camp in Krasnodar for showdown
talks with Lopetegui and the decision to axe him has been made.
“The Spanish national team is the team of all the Spaniards. We only found out just five minutes before that he was leaving for Madrid," he said.
“The federation cannot be left outside the negotiation of one of its employees, and find out just five minutes before a public announcement.
Julen Lopetegui and Luis Rubiales
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Lopetegui speaks to his players “If anybody wants to talk to one of our employees, they have to speak
to us too, that is basic, as this is the team of all Spaniards. The
national team is the most important we have, the World Cup is the
biggest of all.
“There is a way that you must act, Julen has worked in a great way with the team, but we cannot accept how he has acted in this case."
Rubiales confirmed they are working on a replacement with an appointment set to come from within the camp, likely to be Under-21s boss Albert Celades.
He added: "We are going to touch as little as possible. We are working on it. When we know we will tell you.
“All this is a big blow, but we are training again this afternoon, will stick together and move forward. The players are very focused and they have told me they are fully committed, and will give 100 percent.
“To win is very important, to have the best coach very important, but above everything is acting in the right way. Maybe this is tough now, but in the end it will make us stronger."
Reports in Spain suggest super-agent Jorge Mendes played a key role in the shock twist.
Mendes has close links to Lopetegui and is said to have influenced his decision to take the Real Madrid job now, rather than after this summer's tournament.
Of course, Mendes is Portuguese and also has close ties with Cristiano Ronaldo - who Spain face in their Group B opener on Friday.
Lopetegui was confirmed as Real Madrid's new boss on Tuesday, replacing Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu following his sudden decision to go.
The announcement has plunged the 2010 world champions into chaos, just over 48 hours ahead of their Group B opener with Portugal.
Spanish federation chief Luis Rubiales was left furious at the timing of the decision and claims he found out about Lopetegui's decision minutes before Real Madrid confirmed the appointment.
“The Spanish national team is the team of all the Spaniards. We only found out just five minutes before that he was leaving for Madrid," he said.
“The federation cannot be left outside the negotiation of one of its employees, and find out just five minutes before a public announcement.
“There is a way that you must act, Julen has worked in a great way with the team, but we cannot accept how he has acted in this case."
Rubiales confirmed they are working on a replacement with an appointment set to come from within the camp, likely to be Under-21s boss Albert Celades.
Julen Lopetegui will be Real Madrid boss next season
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
“All this is a big blow, but we are training again this afternoon, will stick together and move forward. The players are very focused and they have told me they are fully committed, and will give 100 percent.
“To win is very important, to have the best coach very important, but above everything is acting in the right way. Maybe this is tough now, but in the end it will make us stronger."
Reports in Spain suggest super-agent Jorge Mendes played a key role in the shock twist.
Mendes has close links to Lopetegui and is said to have influenced his decision to take the Real Madrid job now, rather than after this summer's tournament.
Of course, Mendes is Portuguese and also has close ties with Cristiano Ronaldo - who Spain face in their Group B opener on Friday.
0 comments:
Post a Comment