Spain replaces fired Lopetegui with Hierro for WC
Ramos appeals for unity between fans and players
KRASNODAR, Russia, June 13, (AFP): Spain’s World Cup preparations were thrown into turmoil on Wednesday as Real Madrid-bound coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked, with Fernando Hierro taking charge just two days before their opening game in Russia.
In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, Madrid appointed Lopetegui as Zinedine Zidane’s successor to take over after the tournament in Russia, sparking outrage among the Spanish federation and fans at the timing of the announcement.
“We don’t have time to feel sorry for ourselves,” said Hierro, who was already working for the Spanish federation as sporting director. “The objective is to fight for a World Cup. The players have been working towards this for two years.
“I’ve told the players that we have a wonderful, exciting challenge and we can’t let this be an excuse to distract us from our dream.”
Hierro appeared at a press conference alongside Spanish federation chief Luis Rubiales, who had earlier delivered the news of his decision to fire Lopetegui despite reported resistance from the Spain players.
“Negotiating is legitimate but it took place without the RFEF being informed until five minutes before a press statement was released,” said Rubiales. “There has to be a message for all workers in the federation that there is a right way to do things.”
Lopetegui had signed a new contract until 2020 just last month.
“I am very sad, but we have a magnificent team and hopefully we’ll win the World Cup,” Lopetegui told reporters on his departure from Spain’s training base in Krasnodar.
Hours later, Hierro, 50, was named as an emergency replacement despite having only one season’s managerial experience in the Spanish Second Division with Real Oviedo.
Spain are due to face European champions Portugal in Sochi on Friday before taking on Iran and Morocco in Group B.
There were fears Lopetegui’s appointment by the European champions could open up old divisions between the Real Madrid and Barcelona factions in the Spain squad.
For the first time since 2006, there are more players from Madrid in a Spanish squad for a major tournament, with a six-strong Real contingent and just
Hierro
Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets from Barca, as well as Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta, who ended his 16-year career at the Camp Nou last month.
Spain and Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos appealed for unity between the fans and players.
“We are the national team. We represent a badge, colours, a fanbase, a country. The responsibility and commitment are with and for you. Yesterday, today and tomorrow, together,” tweeted Ramos. La Roja were among the favourites to lift the trophy this summer but the astonishing developments of the past two days could have a devastating affect on their chances.
“It completely surprised me, I don’t know the background of the decision, but two days before the first World Cup game, it’s amazing,” said Germany coach Joachim Loew.
US President Donald Trump tweeted: “The US, together with Mexico and Canada, just got the World Cup. Congratulations — a great deal of hard work!”
The North American team had been deeply concerned by Trump’s threat during the bidding process that nations that did not support it should not expect US support on other issues.
Bid leaders feared the FIFA vote could essentially become a referendum on Trump.
That prompted Cordeiro to plead ahead of the ballot for voters to make their decision on the merits of their case, “not geopolitics”.
After the vote, Cordeiro said he believed the North American approach of using three countries would become the “legacy for the future”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: “Congratulations to everyone who worked hard on this bid — it’s going to be a great tournament!”
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said the three winning countries were “deeply united”, despite quarrels over the future of a free trade agreement that has bound them since 1994.
The 1994 World Cup in the United States set an attendance record that still stands, with nearly 3.6 million spectators for only 52 matches.
That suggests that North American bid leaders’ promises to deliver a record $11 billion profit for the 2026 tournament are feasible.
The decision will be a shot in the arm for football in the United States after the national team failed to qualify for 2018 in a huge setback for the game there.
It will also be celebrated in footballcrazy Mexico, which hosted the World Cup in 1970 and in 1986 — the tournament remembered for Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal.
But the result was a bitter blow for Morocco after a fifth failed bid.
Morocco was quick to congratulate the winner, tweeting “#Maroc2026 congratulates @United2026 on their victory.”
France, in particular, lobbied behind the scenes for French-speaking Morocco and the bid had the support of most African nations.
The US defeat by Qatar in its bid to host the 2022 World Cup is now tarnished by corruption allegations that spelled the beginning of the end of the once all-powerful FIFA president Blatter.
That vote prompted an overhaul of the rules.
See Also Pages 34 & 35 Delegates of Canada, Mexico and the United States celebrate after winning a joint bid to host the 2026 World Cup at the FIFA congress in Moscow, Russia on June 13. Standing in front row (from left), Steve Reed, president of the Canadian Soccer Association, Carlos Cordeiro, US soccer president and Decio de Maria, President of the Football Association of Mexico. (AP)