Isco is excited as Julen Lopentegui joins Real Madrid after his controversial departure from the Spanish national team last week just at the World Cup eve. Lopetegui’s decision to move to the Santiago Bernabeu despite recently signing an extension with the national team led to a swift departure, with Fernando Hierro taking the helm days before the start of the tournament in Russia.
Spain’s dramatic few days off the field caught the headlines and there was similar excitement surrounding their opening game at the World Cup, where Cristiano Ronaldo’s late free-kick saw Portugal snatch a point off the 2010 winners. While the situation has seen some criticism of Lopetegui, Isco says he’s happy to see the former national coach take charge of the European champions.
“He’s a coach who I’ve known for many years; we worked together right the way up the Spain set-up. He’s given me confidence when I haven’t been enjoying a central role at my club, and he’s a great coach,” he told a press conference on Monday.