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Gerard Pique sends message to Spain after Lopetegui’s shock exit

Spain v Switzerland - International Friendly Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Gerard Pique has tried to rally the troops after Spain’s World Cup plans were rocked by the shock sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday.

Lopetegui was dismissed after seemingly angering the Spanish Football Federation by agreeing to take on the Real Madrid job after the World Cup.

Spain have since confirmed that Fernando Hierro will take over for the World Cup and Pique has now had his say on Twitter.

He wrote: “University of Michigan. Basketball. 1989. NCAA Champion. It wouldn’t be the first time it happened. All together, now more than ever.”

The Barca defender is referring to the NCAA Basketball finals in 1989 when Michigan coach Bill Frieder left his job two days before the team’s opening game to join Arizona State.

Michigan had apparently told Frieder “not to bother turning up” and he admitted his timing was poor, according to the New York Times.

Steve Fisher took over and of course Michigan went on to win the tournament. Spain’s story is pretty similar but we’ll have to wait and see if it has a happy ending too.

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