No regrets over Spain exit as Julen Lopetegui focuses on 'special challenge' at Real Madrid

Spanish manager left the national team setup on the eve of the World Cup after his Madrid appointment

Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio is fouled in the penalty area by Leganes defender Unai Bustinza. Getty Images

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema reacts to referee Santiago Jaime Latre. AFP

Karim Benzema, right, and Gareth Bale argue with the referee. AP Photo

Gareth Bale celebrates scoring Real Madrid's first goal. Reuters

Karim Benzema celebrates with Sergio Ramos after scoring Real Madrid's second goal. Getty Images

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, left, throws the ball. AP Photo

Karim Benzema takes a shot at goal. Getty Images

Marco Asensio in action for Real Madrid against Leganes. AFP

Karim Benzema celebrates with teammates after scoring Real Madrid's third goal. AFP

Sergio Ramos scores Real Madrid's fourth goal from the penalty spot. Reuters

Sergio Ramos, left, celebrates with Dani Carvajal after scoring Real Madrid's fourth goal. AP Photo

Julen Lopetegui insists he has no regrets regarding his controversial sacking as Spain manager and is focused only on a "special challenge" at Real Madrid.

Lopetegui was fired by the Spanish Football Federation the day before the World Cup started for announcing his move to Madrid behind the organisation's back, throwing Spain's tournament preparations into chaos.

"I simply took a decision and I would take the same one again, I did it in the most honest way possible and I don't regret anything," Lopetegui told Spanish radio station Onda Cero on Tuesday.

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"I'm absolutely happy to coach Real Madrid, we have a special challenge and great objectives. What happened happened and it can't be changed."

Spain, the 2010 world champions, were one of the favourites to win the World Cup but suffered a shock last-16 defeat by hosts Russia in a penalty shootout.

At his presentation as Real coach the day after being sacked by Spain, Lopetegui said "yesterday was the worst day of my life, today is the best".

"I don't want to look back, I explained how I felt in my presentation and I still feel that way," added Lopetegui, who has led Real Madrid to victory in their first three Primera Liga games although they lost the Uefa Super Cup to Atletico Madrid.

"I don't worry about how it was explained, I don't think back. It's over, we explained how we felt and I insist that we did the right thing, which was to say yes to Real Madrid. I would do it again," he said.

"Real Madrid supporters need to know that me and the players are fully focused on the club."

Spain begin a new era under manager Luis Enrique on Saturday with a Uefa Nations League game away to England before hosting Croatia on Tuesday.

"I hope things go phenomenally well for Spain and for Luis Enrique, I'm a fervent supporter of the national team," Lopetegui said.

"It's an era in my life which has gone by, we have moved on and now we are focused on an objective which is big enough to not worry about looking back. We're focused on the now, what happened before is done."