Spain sack Julen Lopetegui

Spain have decided to dismiss Julen Lopetegui from the head coach role just one day before the start of the World Cup finals.

On Wednesday, the 45-year-old was confirmed as Zinedine Zidane's successor at Real Madrid and this would witness him step down as La Roja boss following the tournament in Russia.

However, the president of the Spanish FA Luis Rubiales has not taken the decision positively after Lopetegui informed him about the impending appointment just five minutes before the official announcement.

"We have been forced to dispense with the national coach, we wish him the best of luck, what the Spanish team gets, will have to do with the work he has developed," he told in a press conference in Krasnodar.

The move is likely come as a huge blow for La Roja in preparation for their first group stage game against Portugal on Friday. No replacement has been announced in the wake of the shock dismissal.