Julen Lopetegui has once again addressed one of the most contentious moments of his career: his firing from the Spanish national team just two days before the 2018 World Cup in Russia. In a candid interview with AS, the Basque coach reflected on that moment with brutal honesty.
Lopetegui expressed the pain he felt during that time, labeling the circumstances of his departure as “very ugly things.” Nevertheless, he emphasized that he bears no resentment and has “no thorn in his side” when it comes to today’s football landscape.
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The 2018 squad featured a mix of seasoned players and emerging talent, and the coach fondly remembers them arriving at the World Cup “extremely sharp.” Despite the sudden split, he chooses to concentrate on the present and maintains an optimistic outlook for the future.
A Second Chance in Qatar
For Lopetegui, football consistently presents new opportunities and professional challenges. After weathering the initial criticism following his dismissal, his coaching staff remains determined and excited, ready to tackle the future.
Lastly, the coach compared the increasingly tough landscape of World Cup qualifying campaigns, noting the challenges of maintaining elite status, using the notable absence of the Italian national team as an example.
This article has been translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.