Sacked Spain coach Julen Lopetegui is returning home after today's dramatic events.

The new Real Madrid coach was sacked by the federation this morning after failing to keep them informed of his negotiations with the Champions League title winners.

Lopetegui has canceled a scheduled media conference in Russia today and instead will next speak when he arrives in Madrid.

Federation president Luis Rubiales snapped this morning: "I asked that the announcement not be made public when I found out but steps were already being taken.

"Who spoke with the players? That's obvious, is it not? Those of us who have not had any knowledge, none, have been in the RFEF.

"There may have been an error in the statement from the communication department that should have thought about keeping up appearances. But what you have to do is make decisions."

He added: "I know that Lopetegui did not like that things have been done that way. They (Real Madrid) have been the ones who have done this. Of course we have been the last to find out. "