Real boss sobs as Sergio quits ‘funeral parlour’
SERGIO RAMOS last night insisted Spain’s World Cup hopes were not dead and buried.
He then left a press conference ahead of today’s game against Portugal saying it felt like a “funeral parlour”.
Spain’s dreams of winning a second World Cup look in tatters after coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked on Wednesday.
The Spanish Football Federation axed him for engineering a move to Real Madrid behind their backs.
Real rubbed salt in the wounds by holding a press conference yesterday to unveil him.
Lopetegui had to fight back tears as he described his sacking as: “The worst day of my life since the death of my mother.”
Real’s new club president Florentino Perez insisted they had not done anything wrong and had announced the appointment before the World Cup to avoid speculation distracting the players.
Perez took aim at Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales, saying: “There is no reason why Julen Lopetegui should not be in the dugout for Spain tomorrow night.”
Back in Russia, Spain skipper Ramos insisted there were no problems in the camp, despite suggestions of splits between various club factions.
“There is no division whatsoever,” he said.
“Obviously we can have different opinions, that’s normal, but the unit is the same, the shared goal is the same and nothing or no-one is going to change that.
It was a sensitive time that made some of us feel sad but we need to leave that aside.
“Problems are an opportunity to grow and this will make us stronger.
“There are few people more qualified than Fernando Hierro to cover Julen’s departure.
“He is a perfect candidate to cover this post.”
Ramos also hit back at critics who accused him of deliberately injuring Liverpool’s Mo Salah in the Champions League Final and of concussing goalkeeper Loris Karius.
“I sleep well, I have an easy conscience,” he said.
“Some people tried to use certain arguments to become more popular but I am who I am. If anyone has any doubts about me, they can check my CV.
“On that note, I’m going to finish this press conference because it feels like we’re in a funeral parlour here – but we’re starting a wonderful World Cup and it’s time to smile.”