West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui has insisted he has no thorn in his side over his time as Spain manager, instead preferring to look back fondly on that period of his career.
The West Ham manager has been speaking to COPE about Spain and Euro 2024 as La Roja gear up for a semi-final meeting with France at the tournament in Germany.
Spain have undoubtedly been the best team at Euro 2024 so far, putting in a series of impressive displays while other big nations have struggled.
They appear to be getting back to their best after a difficult few years following the period of domination they enjoyed under Luis Aragones and Vincente del Bosque, which saw them win back-to-back Euros and the 2010 World Cup.
He spent two years in charge but left surrounded by controversy on the eve of the World Cup in Russia when Real Madrid announced he would be taking charge there at the end of the tournament.
Lopetegui was fired by Spain a day later and replaced by Fernando Hierro, leaving him to take charge of Real Madrid.
It seems, though, he bears no ill-will towards his former employers, and has left the door open to a possible return in future, even if his focus is all on West Ham now.
“Water under the bridge doesn’t move a millstone,” he said when asked about his time in charge of the national side.
“Rather than a thorn in my side, coaching the national team was a joy for me, and I have exceptional memories”. I have exceptional memories.
“I don’t think there’s a single coach who wouldn’t tell you they’d like to. Who knows what might happen in the future? For the moment, we’re focused on the present.”
