Real Madrid have confirmed Spain coach Julen Lopetegui will take over as the club’s new manager after the World Cup, ending any lingering speculation about Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham future.
Lopetegui’s appointment seems to have come out of nowhere and will come as welcome news to Spurs fans.
In recent weeks Pochettino has been heavily linked with the vacant post at the Bernabeu, which opened up after Zinedine Zidane’s surprise resignation following a third successive Champions League victory.
Reports suggested Madrid would push hard for Pochettino despite the fact he had just signed a new five-year contract with Tottenham.
Madrid then appeared to end their pursuit of the Argentinian, with further reports claiming they did not want to face negotiations with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.
It seems that was true as the La Liga giants have moved quickly to appoint Lopetegui ahead of the World Cup.
Did their pursuit ever start then?