Jemez: Wasn’t my Spain time

Paco Jemez accepts it ‘wasn’t his time’ for the Spain job as he had already signed with Granada and backs Julen Lopetegui.

Jemez was touted as a candidate to succeed Vicente del Bosque after Euro 2016 but had already committed to Granada by the time the job became open, and believes the Spanish Football Federation have made a good appointment in former Under-21 Coach Lopetegui.

“It wasn’t my time to lead the national team. I was already under contract with Granada and there were high-level coaches [in the running]. It was complicated. The Federation has got it right with Lopetegui, one of the best coaches in the country,” he told El Partido de las 12, AS reports.

Jemez was also asked about two Chinese players it has been claimed will join the club after they were pictured with Granada shirts as part of a connection between the club and Chongqing Lifan, with Granada also under Chinese ownership.

“I haven’t been told of their arrival. I didn’t ask for them and I don’t know them. I have command of the sporting side and nobody from the club has informed me of anything,” he insisted.

“My father takes pictures on Instagram with the Granada shirt and it doesn’t mean he is coming either.”

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