I listened on FOX to reassuring comments by Seedorf and Lalas as to how they expect the Spanish team to quickly overcome the last minute coach change, or rather the no-coach situation that they suddenly found themselves in, and for the moment had an inclination to agree... Then I watched the Spain-Portugal game and realized something: both teams were beyond great, Spain in particular is as good as they were in 2010, maybe even better. Which means this squad could go all the way!

As for the Spanish Federation, that's something they haven't thought of. They just don't expect this team to play the final, and hence the frivolous attitude which they displayed by firing the coach. They just didn't realize what was at stake, because if they have then they would have rather taken care of the team bound to be champions than their reputation or the governance model or whatever the boolshit reason there was to fire Lopetegui. Because no team, even as majestic as Spain potentially can be, can win a tournament without a coach, especially the coach who rebuilt the squad from the ageing 2014-16 devoid of new ideas group of have-beens into this fiery team BTW with many of the same players still in it.

As for Seedorf and Lalas, well, they are former players, so it is incumbent on them to think that the players are making the game no matter the coach. It is not true unfortunately, not if you are to make the best game.