Real Madrid accuse Spain of ‘absurd reaction’ over Lopetegui sacking — theguardian.com

The Real Madrid president, Florentino Pérez, has accused the Spanish Football Federation of an “absurd reaction” in sacking their manager on the eve of the World Cup – a decision Julen Lopetegui described as “the saddest day of my life”. A little more than 24 hours after his contract with Spain was terminated due to secret negotiations with Madrid, Lopetegui was unveiled as the successor to Zinedine Zidane at a hastily arranged press conference having flown back from Russia on Wednesday evening. Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish FA, had described his decision as an “obligation” after he was informed of the 51-year-old’s impending departure only five minutes before it was made public, with Fernando Hierro placed in charge of the team before their opening match against Portugal on Friday.

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