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Spain in chaos 2 days before World Cup after coach fired

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Some people in Spain agree that national team coach Julen Lopetegui had to go. Others believe the chaos on the eve of the World Cup just made a bad situation worse.

Lopetegui was fired Wednesday, two days before Spain's opening match against Portugal, because he accepted a job Tuesday to coach Real Madrid next season.

"It is clear to me that this was poorly handled and that the national team will be harmed by it," Spain fan Jordi Casares said. "Madrid put its interests first, as did Lopetegui, and (Spanish federation president Luis) Rubiales was left in a very tough spot.