Real turns to Spain’s Lopetegui

SPAIN coach Julen Lopetegui will take over as Real Madrid manager on a three-year contract after the World Cup, the European champion said yesterday.

Former France playmaker Zinedine Zidane stepped down two weeks ago, days after leading Real to a third consecutive UEFA Champions League title.

Lopetegui, who last month signed a new contract through to 2020 with Spain, spent three years with Real as a player.

The 51-year-old took over as Spain coach in 2016 following the retirement of Vicente Del Bosque who led his country to victory in the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship.

Spain, unbeaten in 20 games under Lopetegui, plays neighbor Portugal on Friday in its opening World Cup Group B match in Sochi, Russia, before facing Iran and Morocco.

Former goalkeeper Lopetegui spent a season as coach of Real’s B-team Castilla from 2008-09 before taking over as Spain Under19 manager in 2010.

He enjoyed success with the country’s youth sides, winning the 2012 Under-19 European Championship before repeating the feat as Under-21 boss 12 months later.

Lopetegui’s forays into club management have been less successful. He was sacked from a brief spell in charge of Rayo Vallecano in Spain’s second division in 2003 and left Portuguese club Porto after failing to win any silverware from 2014-16.