Spain sack coach on eve of World Cup

The_One · 13 Jun 2018 at 09:09

Might be getting sacked as spain manager!!

Steedie · 13 Jun 2018 at 10:12

If Twitter is anything to go by, looks like it's confirmed he's getting sacked

Steedie · 13 Jun 2018 at 11:10

Confirmed sacked :eek:

BBC Sport said:
The Spanish Football Federation have just confirmed they have sacked Julen Lopetegui as manager, just over 24 hours before the World Cup begins.

FrankJH · 13 Jun 2018 at 11:16

I get "there is a way to act" but seems strange to **** the team over so badly - especially when surely Spain are one of the favourites (at least to get to the 1/4 if not semi's)

Still seems very extreme reaction given the time frames.

At the end of the day it really assists RM and totally messes the national team

The_One · 13 Jun 2018 at 11:19

Will be managerless as his assistant is more than likely going to real aswell lol

Spanish fa are a joke managers agree deals like this all the time

Conte did it before going to chelsea

cheesyboy · 13 Jun 2018 at 11:20

Spanish FA egos overruling common sense.

nicktay2605 · 13 Jun 2018 at 11:21

The Spanish FA are mental. I thought Spain could do really well at the World Cup, now I don't back them at all.

robfosters · 13 Jun 2018 at 11:24

Idiotic from the Spanish FA.

adam cool dude · 13 Jun 2018 at 11:26

Everyone knew Van Gaal was going to United yet he still got third place for Holland.

Marky · 13 Jun 2018 at 11:28

Absolute madness from Spain :eek:

robfosters · 13 Jun 2018 at 11:40

Very humorous from Lineker

Lopetegui: The reign with Spain stays mainly on the plane.

sneakysnail · 13 Jun 2018 at 12:43

Maybe it's just an indication of how little they rate him as a manager. If I'm honest judging by past experience he's been very lucky to get the Spain and real jobs. He's not actually achieved much of anything.

Even without a manager Spain can probably go pretty far. Maybe they already have a replacement in mind aswell.

Eddie · 13 Jun 2018 at 12:46

If I understand the circumstances correctly, I think I'd have sacked him too, tbh.

nicktay2605 · 13 Jun 2018 at 12:47

I didn't realise that Lopetegui signed a new contract to manage Spain until 2020 a few months ago when Rubiales was appointed the president of the Spanish football federation. With that in mind I think it's outrageous of Lopetegui and Real Madrid and he fully deserved to be sacked.

MissChief · 13 Jun 2018 at 12:48

Typical Madrid to announce and destabilise Spain right before the tournament. They care about one thing and one thing only. Themselves.

Zidane takes charge of Spain, Spain win World Cup?

fez · 13 Jun 2018 at 13:31

I can't imagine that this will change Spain one bit. They have a very strong squad with a lot of experience and they play a specific way. A new manager won't have to do much.

The_One · 13 Jun 2018 at 13:48

sneakysnail said:
Maybe it's just an indication of how little they rate him as a manager. If I'm honest judging by past experience he's been very lucky to get the Spain and real jobs. He's not actually achieved much of anything.

Even without a manager Spain can probably go pretty far. Maybe they already have a replacement in mind aswell.

Undefeated as spain u21 manager and then went on to be unbeaten as spains manager

Nothing to do with rating him!!

sneakysnail · 13 Jun 2018 at 15:08

11 games for the under 21's and no tournaments as Spain's manager. He's had 20 games 14 wins, 6 draws with Spain but it's all friendlies and a few qualifiers. You could put a goldfish in charge of Spain and still get respectable results. He did ok with Porto but didn't win anything and had a record budget so was sacked after 2 years. Not exactly a brilliant résumé.

nemtizz · 13 Jun 2018 at 15:27

Far from perfect but no matter what happens it is the right decision, IMO.

fez said:
I can't imagine that this will change Spain one bit. They have a very strong squad with a lot of experience and they play a specific way. A new manager won't have to do much.

Also this.

FrankJH · 13 Jun 2018 at 18:38

Im not so sure - at this kind of level (where Spain are expected to be world wide) small differences can make all the difference.

Im sure they will sail through their group - even if they don't get a result in the 1st match vs Portugal, but its the 1/4s and Semi's where the managers knowledge of each squad / bench player will come into its own - or if Spain get one or two injuries.

The 1st XI may also each have their own preferences from the bench - which may not always be the best for the collective , even if the right intentions are meant.