Julen Lopetegui Sacked by Spain
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Julen Lopetegui has been sacked as Spain football federation just two days of its opening World Cup fixture.
The Spanish Football Federation made its announcement at around 11am on Wednesday ahead of a news conference at which president Luis Rubiales said: "We have been forced to dispense with the national coach. We wish him the greatest of luck."
Rubiales insisted that he had little choice but terminate Lopetegui’s contract as a matter of principle after the coach negotiated with Real Madrid behind their back.
“The negotiations have occurred without any information to the Spanish FA and we were informed just five minutes before the press release. There’s a way to act that needs to be fulfilled.”
Spain play their first Group B match against Portugal on Friday evening.
Spain will meet Iran on June 20 in Kazan in Group B of the 2018 World Cup.