SteemSports Presenter:@rickie
SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets
In football, it is widely accepted that “hiring” and “firing” of managers is part of the game. In accordance to the widely acknowledged practice, and consequent of a poor display at the ongoing Russia 2018 World Cup, the first managerial casualty is reportedly coming from Spain; in the form of a resignation.
Reports have circulated all over the sporting media that Fernando Hierro who led 2010 World Cup winners, Spain, at the Russia 2018 World Cup tournament following the sacking of former Spain manager, Julen Lopetegui, has left his position with the Spanish Football Federation.
Hierro, who prior to the interim appointment, was the director of football for the Spanish Football Federation and Spanish national team was appointed to take over the managerial mantle only two days to the commencement of the tournament following the sacking of Julen Lopetegui.
Julen Lopetegui was appointed Spain’s manager back in 2016, but surprisingly, was appointed Real Madrid boss while still supposedly in charge of the Spanish national team during their preparations for their World Cup opening match against Portugal.
The strange and impromptu appointment which came as a surprise to a lot of Spanish football supporters and the President of the Spanish Football Federation led to an immediate sacking of Lopetegui and led to the eventual appointment of Hierro on a temporary basis to lead Spain at the Tournament.
At the tournament, Spain were expected to fancy their chances in Group B against the likes of Portugal, Morocco and Iran. However, in the group stage, they drew 3 – 3 with Portugal, narrowly edged Iran 1 – 0 and managed to scrape a draw during injury time, while losing 2 – 1 to Morocco.
Eventually, Hierro and his side topped Group B, thanks to other results in the group going their way, but they eventually lost to hosts Russia via penalties in the last-16 stage of the tournament.
Following their shock exit from the tournament, the 50-year old Hierro, has decided to call it quits with the Spanish national team, and has decided not to return to his position of Sporting Director, but has instead decided to seek a new challenge for the future.
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