Spain replaces fired Lopetegui with Hierro on eve of World Cup

The Spanish soccer federation says former player Fernando Hierro will take over the national team from the fired Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the World Cup.
    
Lopetegui was dismissed Wednesday a day after accepting a job to lead Real Madrid next season without informing the federation in advance.
    
Hierro begins his duties two days before Spain's World Cup opener against Portugal in Sochi. The former Real Madrid and Spain defender had been acting as a director with Spain's national team.