Sacked Spanish national team coach, Julen Lopetegui has spoken to the Spanish team for the last time before leaving the team to focus on his new appointment as the new manager at Real Madrid.
Lopetegui, who signed a new contract with La Roja three weeks ago, was sacked on the eve of the 2018 FIFA World Cup after agreeing to become manager of Real Madrid after the World Cup.
Addressing the players, the 51-year-old urged them to use the shocking news of his departure as a motivation for winning the World Cup.
He said, ‘Win the World Cup now, this has happened to make us stronger.’
The RFEF President, Luis Rubiales said of his impromptu dismissal of Lopetegui, ‘I admire Julen very much, I respect him very much. He seems a top trainer and that makes it harder to make the decision.
‘You can’t do things this way, two or three days before the World Cup. We have been compelled to make this decision.’
Lopetegui was replaced with Spain sporting director Fernando Hierro on Wednesday.