Just two days before their opening World Cup fixture against Portugal, the La Roja’s have fired their head coach Julen Lopetegui after he was named the new Real Madrid manager just a day ago.

Real Madrid announced on Tuesday that Zinedine Zidane would be succeeded by Lopetegui. The deal will see Lopetegui at the Bernabeu for 3 years.

The football federation of Spain (RFEF) said it had fired Lopetegui because the deal with Real Madrid happened without any information to the RFEF.

The FIFA World Cup that is being held by Russia kicksoff on Thursday.

“I know it’s a very difficult situation. I know there’s going to be criticism whatever I do,” said RFEF president Luis Rubiales, who was told of Lopetegui’s new role five minutes before it was announced.

“I’m sure this will, in time, make us stronger. I admire Julen very much, I respect him very much. He seems a top trainer and that makes it harder to make the decision.

“You can’t do things this way, two or three days before the World Cup. We have been compelled to make this decision.”

Lopetegui was appointed as the La Roja manager in 2016, following the retirement of Vincente del Bosque.

Lopetegui remained unbeaten through his reign of Spain’s national team and have won 14 of the 20 games he was in charge off, drawing the remaining six matches.