Spain coach Lopetegui to Real after the World Cup

A few years ago, many in Spanish football only knew Julen Lopetegui because he once passed out as a TV commentator. Now he can not only make Spain world champions, but will then take up one of the most coveted positions in club football.

Julen Lopetegui and Real Madrid surprised the football world three days before Spain's World Cup opener. The national coach of the top favorite will become head coach of the Champions League winners Real Madrid after the final tournament in Russia. The 51-year-old will succeed the resigned Zinédine Zidane, as the Spanish record champions announced on Tuesday. Not even rumors suggested this transfer coup: Lopetegui had only recently extended his contract with the 2010 world champion for another two years.

The former goalkeeper will sign a three-year contract, Real announced on its website. Lopetegui can move thanks to a release clause. This emerges from a statement by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which was released at the World Cup camp in Krasnodar, Russia. “The RFEF will receive payment for the release clause for the current national coach to sign with Real Madrid,” it said. A transfer fee, which has long been customary for coaches, was not mentioned.

The association also asked for “maximum respect” in order to give the team the best possible concentration on their first World Cup game on Friday in Sochi against European champions Portugal. Association President Luis Rubiales announced a press conference for this Wednesday (11.30:10.30 a.m. local time/30:100 a.m. CEST) in Krasnodar. Even in the Spaniards' quarters in the FC Krasnodar academy on Tuesday there was no sign of this volte. The team around playmaker Andrés Iniesta and Bayern professional Thiago trained at almost XNUMX degrees. Atlético Madrid midfielder Koke gave a short, unexciting press conference before the more than XNUMX media representatives left calmly.

Later promotion in the coaching business Lopetegui has not lost any of his 2014 games - with 20 wins - since taking office in 14 after Spain failed miserably in the World Cup preliminary round under Vicente del Bosque. As a goalkeeper, the Basque was often number two or three - like from 1989 to 1991 at Real Madrid, 1994 to 1997 at FC Barcelona or at the 1994 World Cup, when Andoni Zubizarreta and Santiago Cañizares stood in front of him. His rise in the coaching business came relatively late. Around four years ago, the man from the Basque Country was a nobody even among most fans in Spain. At least he played one international match – against Croatia in 1994. He also had to work his way up to number one in the Spanish association's coaching staff. In 2012, Lopetegui became European champion with the U19, and a year later with the U21.

He then coached FC Porto for two years before being given a leave of absence due to failure. In his first year, however, he only failed in the quarter-finals of the Champions League against FC Bayern. When Munich were defeated 3-1 in the first leg, he was made a “giant” by the Spanish sports newspaper “AS” and even compared to current Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola and christened “Guardiola number two”.

In his first year as coach at the Madrid club Rayo Vallecano (2003/2004) in the second division, Lopetegui was given a leave of absence before the end of the season. The blow was probably deep, because for many years Lopetegui only worked as a TV commentator or club scout. Some only remembered him because he once suddenly fainted while commentating in front of the cameras. Top favorite for the World Cup title As national coach, Loptegui marched through the World Cup qualification with the Spaniards and also left Italy behind. The former Tiki-Taka footballers shone with precise, fast-paced football under their new head coach - as was also the case in the 1-1 draw against Germany in Düsseldorf in March. After a 6-1 win against Argentina in March, experts were certain: Spain is one of the top favorites for the World Cup title.

Lopetegui could now go undefeated as world champion if he triumphs in the final in Moscow – if he gets through the group games without defeat. At the start of the World Cup on Friday (20.00:XNUMX p.m.), he will be facing Portugal with Cristiano Ronaldo. The world footballer had flirted with leaving after the Champions League win against Liverpool FC. Now his future head coach may be able to convince him otherwise.

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Spain coach Lopetegui to Real after the World Cup

Spain's national coach Julen Lopetegui will be the new coach of Real Madrid after the World Cup in Russia (June 14th to July 15th).

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