Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has voiced his support for sacked former Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui, who he holds in high regard.
Ex-Spain captain Iniesta shared his thoughts on Lopetegui’s dismissal as both national team and Los Blancos boss in a span of less than five months.
Iniesta had shared a strong bond with Lopetegui during the two years of the latter’s tenure as La Roja coach.
The World Cup winner and two-time European Championships winner has voiced his support for his unfortunate compatriot.
“My relationship with Julen began when he took over at the national team, and we had a strong relationship,” Iniesta told Onda Cero.
“Nobody wanted what happened at the World Cup to unfold, and personally he made me feel important, so I messaged him just the other day.”
Iniesta has sympathy for former Spain and Real coach Lopetegui.
Lopetegui was announced as Real manager two days before the World Cup kicked off and was subsequently sacked as Spain’s head coach the next day.
This had adverse affects Spain’s World Cup campaign in Russia and the 2010 champions were subject to a shock exit in the round of 16 after going down on penalties against hosts Russia.
“In football, what happens to the coach is dictated by the results and the dynamics of football and we must accept these things can happen,” added Iniesta.
Iniesta, meanwhile, maintains that El Clasico is a huge fixture and the desire to win which is shared by all the players of Barca and Real outweighs the absence of a player, even if that player is Lionel Messi – who missed the recent 5-1 thrashing handed out by Barca to their fierce rivals.
Iniesta added: “Did I watch El Clasico? Barca were superior, and it was not important that Lionel Messi was not available as everyone plays at their highest level for these games.”
