World Cup: Spain was supposed to win, then they sacked their manager
What’s next?
Their new coach, Fernando Hierro, was the sporting director for the FA and he’s not expected to change their style of play. While that may sound decent, the issue comes from what happens when there is a need to make tactical switches during a match.
Essentially, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets are going to have to manage the team while on the pitch.
In our preview podcast for the Top Flight, I made the case for why this team was one to watch and a big part of that was because of their tactical system.
Lopetegui kept a Tiki Taka possession style from previous Spanish teams but added a pressing element that overwhelmed teams. Since he took over the position after Euro 2016, Lopetegui was undefeated.
Spain got nine wins and a draw in their qualification group, memorably crushing Italy 3-0 at the Bernabeu.
Lopetegui seemed to find the right balance between the older aging stars like Iniesta, Pique, and Ramos and the new, exciting, younger talent, coming through the ranks, like Asensio, Thiago, and Isco.
They absolutely destroyed Argentina 6-1 in a friendly in March.
Lopetegui is a good manager, he seemed to know what he was doing with this team. Regardless of the fact that the striker situation was unresolved, this team was a genuine contender for the World Cup.
I believed that this team would win the World Cup. In the preview podcast, they went all the way to the final. In my own bracket, I have them winning!
However, that is over.
Thanks to the Spanish FA.