SOCHI: Spain captain Sergio Ramos was in no mood to talk about the sacking of coach Julen Loptegui 48 hours before today’s World Cup opener against Portugal here.
Cutting short a press conference yesterday, Ramos said: “I want to leave, this press conference is like a funeral.”
Ramos has called on his teammates to put behind them the controversial and shock removal of Lopetegui on Wednesday, and focus on the Portugal game.
“You have to turn the page as quickly as possible,” he said.
“'It hasn't been a pleasant time but the sooner we leave the subject behind, the better.”
Loptegui incurred the wrath of the Spanish football federation for joining Real Madrid while he is still on contract with the national body.
Spain were rated as among the favourites for the World Cup in Russia but following the sacking of Lopetegui, fans say La Roja are no longer in contention for the title.
Ramos said the Spanish team admire the new coach, Fernando Hierro, and that he is the ideal man for the job at this moment.