Lopetegui: Circumstances beyond football cost me Spain job

Julen Lopetegui's managerial career experienced a seismic shift in the summer of 2018. After successfully rebuilding the Spanish national team and leading them through qualification without defeat, Lopetegui was dismissed shortly before the World Cup. He maintains that events beyond football dictated his exit, stating it "wasn't up to us and it wasn't down to football."

Following his departure from Spain, Lopetegui took on the demanding role of managing Real Madrid. He acknowledged the immense challenges, including the late return of players from the World Cup and Cristiano Ronaldo's departure. Despite initial optimism and confidence within the dressing room, a series of unfortunate events, such as an own goal and an appendicitis diagnosis, led to a poor run of form.