In a dramatic, and quite frankly bizarre, turn of events, Julen Lopetegui will no longer manage Spain at the World Cup as a result of signing a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid.
He'll now watch Fernando Hierro take charge of Spain's World Cup campaign, as Lopetegui prepares to coach the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, among others, at club level next season.
Not to mention Champions League 2018 final hero Gareth Bale.
And following Lopetegui's appointment, quotes distributed about the Welsh winger have emerged which will continue to stoke speculation about his Real Madrid future.
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In 2015 he reportedly said: "A player at Real Madrid has to give 100% all the time. If he doesn't then he might as well leave. La Liga is totally different to the Premier League. A player like that wouldn't get into my team."
Worrying signs for Bale?
Immediately after scoring a match-winning brace against Liverpool to claim Champions League glory for a third consecutive season, the 28-year-old plunged his future into doubt.
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He's since been linked with a mega-money switch away from the Santiago Bernabeu. Manchester United are believed to be keeping tabs on his developing situation ahead of tabling a summer bid.
While it may be bad news for Bale, some people are suggesting how it could potentially be great news for Isco as well as Marco Asensio.
How will Lopetegui fare in the Real Madrid hot-seat?
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Let us know what you think in the comment section below.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, gareth bale, Julen Lopetegui, Real Madrid
