Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has labelled Julen Lopetegui's sacking as Spain's manager "absurd".
Lopetegui lost his post with the national team a day after it was announced that he would take over as Madrid's boss from next season, and just two days before the start of the World Cup.
Perez has defended his decision to announce Lopetegui as the club's new boss, insisting that Madrid chiefs did not want rumours to circle about the coach's future while at the World Cup.
"It was an absurd reaction of misunderstanding and pride, which was aimed at hurting the prestige of Real Madrid," Real's president told Sky Sports News.
"We reached an agreement very quickly, in a few hours, and wanted to make a show of transparency, to avoid all rumours and speculation during the tournament. There was no reason at all why Julen Lopetegui should not have been on the Spain national team bench tomorrow.
"We feel for him that he could not achieve his great goal of success with his country."
Spain kick off their campaign against Portugal on Friday with Fernando Hierro in the dugout.
Jonny Whitfield
