Just a day ahead of kick-off the 2018 World Cup, the Spanish national team even sacked his coach. Julen Lopetegui was removed from his position by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
"We've decided to fire the national team coach," RFEF president Luis Rubiales told an impromptu news conference on Wednesday (13/6/2018), as quoted by the Guardian.
"Our achievement to get here (World Cup 2018) is thanks to his great contribution, and we must thank him and wish him the best," he said.
The dismissal came after Lopetegui was announced to be the new coach of Real Madrid after the 2018 World Cup final. At first the 51-year-old man was allegedly still going to train Spain until the tournament in Russia is settled.
"We just found out that he is going to join Real Madrid in a situation where there is a time you have to behave, Julen is already working well on the team but we can not accept his attitude on this," Rubiales said.
Spain unbeaten in 20 games since handled Lopetegui after European Cup 2016. The Spanish players were reportedly refused his dismissal. La Roja will start their work in the 2018 World Cup to face Portugal, Saturday (16/6) early morning hrs. World Cup 2018 will kick-off on Thursday (14/6) tomorrow with the opening match Russia vs Saudi Arabia.