Can't say I'm completely gutted... I was expecting a disaster ever since Lopetegui was sacked. That's when I was gutted, and I had already accepted the fact that we weren't going to win it. It was an awful way to go out, with one of the worst performances in years... but it just didn't surprise me at this point. Hierro couldn't handle the situation... he was clearly in an uncomfortable situation and he was too afraid to make his own decisions.

It's a damn shame, because the team Lopetegui had built was highly competitive and a joy to watch. No passing bullshit... possession when needed, but also tons of vertical play when the game demanded it. Looking at how poor all the other big teams have been performing, and how our side of the bracket was really easy, I think we would have at least reached the final.

But Rubiales had to be a butthurt idiot and throw it all down the drain out of personal pride. Fuck him. And yesterday he still bragged about making "the right decision", ffs. After that woeful 2014-2016 spell, the country had finally recovered faith and hope in the national team, and he ruined it with one of the most irresponsible decisions I've ever seen in the world of football.

How is the future looking for the squad? Been hearing Pique won't play for Spain anymore.

Iniesta, Piqué and Reina are done. Silva and Monreal might also say goodbye.

There are some young talents out there, but they don't look as promising as the current generation. It will all come down to who becomes the new coach, and how he rebuilds the squad. The team is currently broken, and time will be necessary to get things back on track.

i feel you zark, both our world cups ruined by unprofessional behavior from officials

you guys at least will certainly have a fresh start, while nothing at all has happened here
everyone is in submarine mode and the dfb literally lives in another universe

luis enrique new coach ^^

Yep. He's a massive cunt, but also probably the best option available, as I mentioned on page 3 of this thread. We need someone with a strong personality in order to rebuild the team, and I think Luis Enrique is a capable man for such a task. Hope he can deliver!

You can be a massive cunt!

Don't rate him as a manager at all.

But it does take something special to fail to win something with such an amazingly talented group of players, presumably this is why Hierro jumped before he was pushed.

There is always next year, cheer up Spaniards!