WORLD CUP
"Spain being punished for Lopetegui's treason" - the world's media reacts
The references to an earthquake, a civil war and the punishment Spain are now being treated to are signs of the shock the news of Lopetegui's sacking has been met with.
The sacking of Julen Lopetegui as Spain manager has sent the world of football into a state of shock just one day before the start of the World Cup. The world's sporting press have the sacking as their main news item after one of the World Cup favourites entire tournament is thrown into a tailspin. Here is a selection of how the world's media treated the news.
La Gazzetta dello Sport: Lopetegui is out for the "Real Madrid case": "We have decided to release Lopetegui", said the president of the RFEF Luis Rubiales. The Spanish national team is living moments of utter chaos. Rubiales learned of Lopetegui's decision five minutes before Real Madrid made it public that their new manager was going to be Lopetegui and now they are being punished for his high treason. The replacement could be sporting director, Fernando Hierro or Albert Celades, the current under-21 manager.
Il Corriere dello Sport: Earthquake in Spain. Lopetegui, sacked. The players tried to stop Rubiales from sacking Lopetegui before the World Cup. Madrid has unleashed this furious reaction of the federation.
Sport: Lopetegui, sacked! The statement from Real Madrid have stirred up the team hotel in Krasnador.
Mundo Deportivo: Lopetegui sacked two days before the debut. As Rubiales explained, the motive for the sacking was the way that it was handled, "until five minutes before, I knew nothing."
BBC: Spain, without a manager. The RFEF sacked their manager, the 51-year-old, because of the negotiations that happened "without informing the RFEF", said Rubiales. "We feel obliged to make this decision."
Daily Mail: Civil War in Spain. Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the World Cup, after creating a Spanish storm when he signed "in secret" with Real Madrid.
Bild: Earthquake in Spain. The favourite for the World Cup are without a manager. The players, especially captain Sergio Ramos, tried to convince Rubiales, who made the decision.
New York Times: Spain, one of the favourites to win the World Cup, enter into chaos just two days before their inauguration."
L’Equipe: Spain without a manager. Furious with Lopetegui after signing with Real Madrid, Luis Rubiales has announced the immediate sacking. The players tried to put the brakes on the decision.
France Football: A surprise for everyone, Julen Lopetegui has been sacked as the manager of Spain two days before Spain start the World Cup. Lopetegui will leave without losing a game with the team.
Europe 1: Lopetegui, sacked. The manager was fired, as a surprise to everyone, one day after his appointment as the manager of Real Madrid.
Record: The discontent in the Spanish camp after Lopetegui was announced as the new manager of Real Madrid leaves him without a World Cup. "There are rules that you have to adhere to," said Rubiales to justify the sacking.
A Bola: Lopetegui, sacked two days before the World Cup. The reaction at his signing for Real Madrid, has seen him immediate sacking.
Olé: Spain, without a manager. Julen Lopetegui was thrown out for arranging his appoitment with Real Madrid and the Spanish national team are without a manager. The Spanish Football Federation president, Luis Rubiales, announced his decision two days before Spain's debut.
O Globo: Announced by Real Madrid, Lopetegui has been sacked by Spain. The president of the Football Federation has confirmed the fall of the manager on the eve of the World Cup.
