Axed Spain boss Julen Lopetegui has admitted that he is "very sad" after being sacked as the country's head coach.
Lopetegui was removed from his post just a day before the start of the World Cup, following the announcement a day earlier that he had taken over as Real Madrid boss.
The Spanish FA acted quickly to install former sporting director Fernando Hierro into the role, whose first game will be a crunch Group B clash with Portugal on Friday.
"We have a magnificent team and hopefully win the World Cup," Lopetegui told reporters after revealing his sadness at his sacking.
Hierro has hailed his new challenge as "an exciting one".
Written by
Jonny Whitfield
Jonny Whitfield
