Former England boss Sam Allardyce has backed Spain's decision to sack Julen Lopetegui.

Lopetegui was fired on the eve of the World Cup following his decision to join Real Madrid without informing the Spanish federation beforehand.

Allardyce told Goal: "If I was the Spanish Football Federation I would be furious with Real Madrid. It's right on the eve of the World Cup and it has left them in a very embarassing and difficult situation.

"I couldn't see any other option for them than to sack him if they had no idea this was happening. It's a very difficult predicament that they would not have been expecting to be in, and let's hope it doesn't affect the players when they get there."