FIFA World Cup 2018: Spain coach Julen Lopetegui sacked after accepting Real Madrid job

In a shocking turn of events, Julen Lopetegui has been sacked as Spain manager a day before the FIFA World Cup 2018 and a day after it was announced that he will take the vacant Real Madrid manager's spot after the World Cup.

Lopetegui on Tuesday signed a three-year deal to succeed Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid and hence, it was decided by the Spanish hierarchy that it was inappropriate for him to continue with Spain.

Luis Rubiales, the Spanish Football Association president, who was supposed to attend FIFA's congress in Moscow on Wednesday flew to Spain's training camp on Tuesday night to discuss the matter.

"We cannot fulfill our own values. It's a difficult and painful situation. We would have liked to end up here at the top with Julen, but we have not determined the way we act," said Rubiales.

“We have been forced to dispense with the national coach. We wish him the greatest of luck,” added the Spanish FA president.

“The negotiations have occurred without any information to the Spanish FA and we were informed just five minutes before the press release. There’s a way to act that needs to be fulfilled.”

Spain plays their first Group B match against Portugal on Friday.