The Euro 2016 champions, who failed to make beyond group stage at Brazil 2014, will hope to see their players finding form quickly against a dangerous Spain
Browsing: Julen Lopetegui
The former Real Madrid captain was thrust into the spotlight as their new head coach following the shock departure of Julen Lopetegui.
However, the announcement was made on the eve of the World Cup, which led to the manager being sacked by the Spanish national team.
Earlier on Wednesday, Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales announced at a press conference that Lopetegui had been sacked as Spain head coach after negotiating with Real Madrid without any prior notification.
This was after the country’s federation said he failed to tell them he had agreed to join Real Madrid after the tournament.
The Spanish Football Association president, Luis Rubiales, was supposed to be at Fifa’s congress in Moscow on Wednesday but flew to Spain’s training base late on Tuesday night to deal with the matter
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.
Zidane, who led the club to three successive Champions League titles, surprised the sporting world when he stepped down in May.
In a brief statement to announce the appointment, the Madrid giants said the new coach had been appointed on a three-year contract
Julen Lopetegui’s side left it late to make a breakthrough, with Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas coming off the bench to net the decisive strike four minutes from time.
It was a game in which the hosts dominated but failed to make their superior possession count
The former Rayo Vallecano and FC Porto boss, who also coached Spain’s Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 sides, has committed to the role for the next qualification campaign.
The left-back has featured in 40 of the London side’s 49 total fixtures this season, with his solid form rewarded by a place in coach Julen Lopetegui’s 24-man squad.
Spain will travel to Israel on Monday for their final Group G clash as Italy, who are almost certain of a spot in the playoffs, finish away to Albania on the same night