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Spain to sack Julen Lopetegui one day before World Cup?

Spain to sack Julen Lopetegui?
© Reuters
Spain are reportedly considering sacking manager Julen Lopetegui just a day before the World Cup after the announcement that he will take over at Real Madrid.

Spain are reportedly considering sacking manager Julen Lopetegui just one day before the start of this summer's World Cup in Russia.

Lopetegui was yesterday confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager and will replace Zinedine Zidane at the helm of the 13-time European champions after the end of Spain's World Cup campaign.

However, the Spanish FA and its new president Luis Rubiales are understood to be furious with the way Lopetegui has handled the situation, prompting him to fly back from the FIFA congress in Moscow to Krasnodar, where the Spain team are based.

The Independent reports that they are considering a change of manager, with a press conference later today expected to clarify Lopetegui's position.

The 53-year-old is unbeaten in charge of Spain since taking over following their Euro 2016 exit, and La Roja are regarded as one of the favourites to lift the World Cup trophy in Russia this summer.

However, Rubiales reportedly feels betrayed after only finding out about Lopetegui's Madrid agreement five minutes before it was announced by Los Blancos.

Spain sporting director Fernando Hierro and Under-21 coach Albert Celades are regarded as the main candidates to take over should Lopetegui be sacked, although Rubiales may feel that it is too late to make a change considering Spain get their campaign underway against Iberian rivals Portugal in Sochi on Friday.

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Spain manager Julen Lopetegui on March 23, 2018
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Real Madrid name Lopetegui as new boss
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CBarcelona38289199297093
2Atletico MadridAtletico382310558223679
3Real Madrid382210694445076
4Valencia38227965382773
5Villarreal38187135750761
6Real Betis38186146061-160
7Sevilla38177144958-958
8Getafe381510134233955
9EibarEibar38149154450-651
10GironaGirona38149155059-951
11Espanyol381213133642-649
12Real Sociedad38147176659749
13Celta Vigo381310155960-149
14AlavesAlaves38152214050-1047
15Levante381113144458-1446
16Athletic Bilbao381013154149-843
17Leganes38127193451-1743
RDeportivo La CorunaDeportivo38611213876-3829
RLas PalmasLas Palmas3857262474-5022
RMalaga3855282461-3720

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