Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish FA, is being scapegoated for Spain’s anemic World Cup as his decision to replace Real Madrid-bound Julen Lopetegui with Fernando Hierro on the eve of the tournament backfired.
No matter which side of the debate you find yourself on there is little denying that the decision to fire Spain coach Julen Lopetegui just days removed from the beginning of the World Cup has not worked out for Spanish football.
Rubiales made the decision after it was revealed that Lopetegui, who was undefeated in his last two years at the helm of the national team, was to take the reins at Real Madrid following the departure of Zinedine Zidane. Obviously irked by the decision, as well as the timing of the announcement, Rubiales chose the nuclear option. Lopetegui’s contract was terminated with immediate effect and in his stead would stand Fernando Hierro, a man with precisely nil coaching experience at that level.
In the end, Spain’s 1-0 reverse of Iran would be their only victory in Russia and the 2010 winners head home from their second successive World Cup having failed to achieve anything close to their goals.
Unsurprisingly, the reaction online has been centered around Rubiales and his now ill-fated managerial switcheroo in advance of the tournament.