• Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio is fouled in the penalty area by Leganes defender Unai Bustinza. Getty Images
    Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio is fouled in the penalty area by Leganes defender Unai Bustinza. Getty Images
  • Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema reacts to referee Santiago Jaime Latre. AFP
    Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema reacts to referee Santiago Jaime Latre. AFP
  • Karim Benzema, right, and Gareth Bale argue with the referee. AP Photo
    Karim Benzema, right, and Gareth Bale argue with the referee. AP Photo
  • Gareth Bale celebrates scoring Real Madrid's first goal. Reuters
    Gareth Bale celebrates scoring Real Madrid's first goal. Reuters
  • Karim Benzema celebrates with Sergio Ramos after scoring Real Madrid's second goal. Getty Images
    Karim Benzema celebrates with Sergio Ramos after scoring Real Madrid's second goal. Getty Images
  • Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, left, throws the ball. AP Photo
    Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, left, throws the ball. AP Photo
  • Karim Benzema takes a shot at goal. Getty Images
    Karim Benzema takes a shot at goal. Getty Images
  • Marco Asensio in action for Real Madrid against Leganes. AFP
    Marco Asensio in action for Real Madrid against Leganes. AFP
  • Karim Benzema celebrates with teammates after scoring Real Madrid's third goal. AFP
    Karim Benzema celebrates with teammates after scoring Real Madrid's third goal. AFP
  • Sergio Ramos scores Real Madrid's fourth goal from the penalty spot. Reuters
    Sergio Ramos scores Real Madrid's fourth goal from the penalty spot. Reuters
  • Sergio Ramos, left, celebrates with Dani Carvajal after scoring Real Madrid's fourth goal. AP Photo
    Sergio Ramos, left, celebrates with Dani Carvajal after scoring Real Madrid's fourth goal. AP Photo

No regrets over Spain exit as Julen Lopetegui focuses on 'special challenge' at Real Madrid


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Julen Lopetegui insists he has no regrets regarding his controversial sacking as Spain manager and is focused only on a "special challenge" at Real Madrid.

Lopetegui was fired by the Spanish Football Federation the day before the World Cup started for announcing his move to Madrid behind the organisation's back, throwing Spain's tournament preparations into chaos.

"I simply took a decision and I would take the same one again, I did it in the most honest way possible and I don't regret anything," Lopetegui told Spanish radio station Onda Cero on Tuesday.

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"I'm absolutely happy to coach Real Madrid, we have a special challenge and great objectives. What happened happened and it can't be changed."

Spain, the 2010 world champions, were one of the favourites to win the World Cup but suffered a shock last-16 defeat by hosts Russia in a penalty shootout.

At his presentation as Real coach the day after being sacked by Spain, Lopetegui said "yesterday was the worst day of my life, today is the best".

"I don't want to look back, I explained how I felt in my presentation and I still feel that way," added Lopetegui, who has led Real Madrid to victory in their first three Primera Liga games although they lost the Uefa Super Cup to Atletico Madrid.

"I don't worry about how it was explained, I don't think back. It's over, we explained how we felt and I insist that we did the right thing, which was to say yes to Real Madrid. I would do it again," he said.

"Real Madrid supporters need to know that me and the players are fully focused on the club."

Spain begin a new era under manager Luis Enrique on Saturday with a Uefa Nations League game away to England before hosting Croatia on Tuesday.

"I hope things go phenomenally well for Spain and for Luis Enrique, I'm a fervent supporter of the national team," Lopetegui said.

"It's an era in my life which has gone by, we have moved on and now we are focused on an objective which is big enough to not worry about looking back. We're focused on the now, what happened before is done."