Lopetegui sacked as Spain manager: as it happened
The Spain coach has been removed from his position after agreeing to take over at the Bernabéu with Real Madrid. Fernando Hierro takes over for the World Cup. Cruz Azul vs America: Liga MX, live online
Julen Lopetegui sacking and reaction: as it happened
Lopetegui to join Real Madrid
Current Spain coach Julen Lopetegui will take over as the new Real Madrid manager after the World Cup in Russia. That was yesterday's shock news that took the football world by surprise yesterday afternoon, when it was announced on the Real Madrid website.
A press conference has been called for today, Wednesday 13 June, originally at 10:30 CEST but then delayed until at least 11:30, for Lopetegui to talk about his decision to leave the Spanish set-up and take over at the Bernabéu, and we'll have live coverage here on AS English. He'll be joined at the conference by Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish FA
Lopetegui to sign three-year deal with Real Madrid
Lopetegui will sign a three-year deal at the Bernabéu, running to 2021, the Spanish giants confirmed in their statement. The coach has been with the Spain set-up since 2016, when he took over from Del Bosque, after the European Championships.
The announcement was a complete surprise and many have criticised Real Madrid, and in particular their president Florentino Pérez, for snapping up Lopetegui and potentially destabilising the Spanish World Cup campaign.