Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has confirmed Julen Lopetegui has been sacked as Spain Coach for ‘unacceptable behaviour’ on joining Real Madrid.
Rubiales has confirmed he only found out about the 51-year-old’s agreement to join Madrid five minutes before the official announcement on Tuesday afternoon.
Lopetegui has now been dismissed from his role just two days ahead of his side’s opener against Portugal in the World Cup, having been unbeaten in his 20 matches as boss.
“We have been forced to break our agreement with Julen Lopetegui,” Rubiales told a press conference on Wednesday.
“Lopetegui has been a great Coach. But we cannot accept this behaviour, we only found about his decision (to join Real Madrid) five minutes before the announcement.
“This has been done without our knowledge. I do not feel betrayed. But this is how it must be.
“If someone wants to talk to one of our employees, they must speak to us too. This is a basic requirement. The national team is for the entire nation.
