Luis Rubiales has stepped down as the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after facing criticism for his handling of various issues. Rubiales, who took over the role in 2018, was seen as a controversial figure during his tenure.
One of the key issues that led to Rubiales’ departure was the ongoing dispute between LaLiga and the RFEF regarding scheduling conflicts. The federation wanted to change the match times to accommodate the national team’s schedule, while LaLiga was against the proposed changes. This disagreement had caused tensions between Rubiales and LaLiga president Javier Tebas.
Rubiales also faced criticism for his decision to fire Julen Lopetegui just days before the start of the 2018 World Cup. Lopetegui had agreed to become the head coach of Real Madrid after the tournament, which Rubiales saw as a betrayal. The decision to sack Lopetegui so close to the World Cup was met with widespread condemnation, and Spain went on to have a disappointing campaign, being eliminated in the Round of 16.
In addition to these controversies, Rubiales was also involved in a legal battle with former Spain head coach Luis Enrique. The two parties were at odds over Enrique’s contract termination and the payment of his salary. This dispute further damaged Rubiales’ reputation and contributed to his resignation.
Rubiales’ departure opens up a new chapter for the RFEF, as they will now be looking for a new president to lead the organization. The next president will have to address the issues that plagued Rubiales’ tenure, including the ongoing conflict with LaLiga and the need to rebuild the national team.
Meanwhile, in other soccer news, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) recently faced Oman in an international friendly match. The game ended in a 2-1 victory for the USMNT, but the performance left much to be desired.
Under the leadership of head coach Gregg Berhalter, the USMNT struggled to find their rhythm and were unable to dominate the match against Oman. The team showed flashes of potential, but their overall performance was lacking in cohesion and precision.
Berhalter’s crew will need to improve their gameplay if they want to compete at a higher level. The USMNT has been working towards rebuilding their squad and establishing a new identity, but there is still work to be done. The match against Oman highlighted areas that need improvement, such as defensive organization and attacking creativity.
Overall, the USMNT’s victory over Oman was a positive result, but it also served as a reminder that there is room for growth. Berhalter and his team will need to analyze their performance and make the necessary adjustments in order to progress and achieve their goals.
