Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insists the Spanish FA’s decision to sack Julen Lopetegui was ‘disrespectful’ to his club.
The FA’s president Luis Rubiales dismissed Lopetegui on Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after Madrid confirmed he would replace Zinedine Zidane after the conclusion of the World Cup.
“The sacking was due to the pride (of the Spanish FA) and to us, it was disrespectful,” Perez told reporters at Lopetegui’s press conference on Thursday evening.
“We had legitimate freedom to make this agreement, a professional and honourable deal, that agreement has somehow been interpreted as disloyal.
“The president's response was unprecedented. Nothing justifies Lopetegui not being on the bench for tomorrow's game.”
