SPAIN have looked towards ex-Wanderers star Fernando Hierro to lead them into the World Cup finals after Julen Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the tournament.

The managerial change came about just 24 hours after it was confirmed Lopetegui would take over at Real Madrid at the start of next season.

Hierro, whose only previous managerial job is a single season at Ossasuna, had previously been the Spain national team’s sporting director.

The 50-year-old spent 14 years at Real, winning three European Cups and five league championships, before moving to Saudi Arabia. Sam Allardyce then convinced him to finish his career in the Premier League, where he made 31 appearances and scored one goal.

Attempts to try and extend his stay at Wanderers failed, and Hierro was given a standing ovation by the Bolton fans in his last-ever appearance against Everton.

Hierro won 89 caps for his country and must now try and stabilise a squad which opens their World Cup Group B campaign against Portugal on Friday.

Spain delayed a press conference at the Krasnodar Stadium today by well over an hour before Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales announced the decision.

He said: "We have been forced to dispense with the national coach. We wish him the best of luck."