Spain has made a coaching change just two days before the start of the World Cup in a move that will be heavily scrutinized over the coming weeks.

Was it a surprise move? Absolutely.

But the history of coaching dismissals in soccer and every other sport is littered with strange timing http://www.giantsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-b.j.-hill-jersey , strange decisions and strange circumstances. Now Julen Lopetegui’s case joins them.

Lopetegui was fired as Spain’s national team coach on Wednesday after accepting a job to lead Real Madrid next season . He will be replaced by Fernando Hierro for the country’s match against Portugal on Friday.

Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales said firing Lopetegui wasn’t ideal, but had to happen after Madrid’s announcement.

”It’s a difficult situation, but we are not the ones who determined the action that had to be taken. The federation has its values and it has to maintain them,” Rubiales said. ”It may look like a weakness now, but with time this will make us stronger.”

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Here’s a look at some other high-profile coaches in the United States who have had strange circumstances surround their dismissals:

LANE KIFFIN, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Kiffin’s self-described dream job ended with a spectacular thud in 2013 after he was fired during a 3 a.m. meeting at the Trojans’ private airport terminal. His dismissal came just hours after the team lost 62-41 to Arizona State. At the time http://www.packersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-j_mon-moore-jersey , USC athletic director Pat Haden said ”It’s never the perfect time to do these things, but I thought it was the right time.”

WILLIE RANDOLPH, NEW YORK METS: Randolph’s firing in 2008 wasn’t necessarily a huge surprise because his job security had been a constant topic, but the timing was definitely strange. General manager Omar Minaya flew to the West Coast when the Mets were on the road and fired Randolph in the middle of the night, a few hours after the team had earned its third win in four games.

DAVID BLATT, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Blatt led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2015 and had the team sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference standings in 2016 with a 30-11 record when he fired. Wins alone didn’t tell the whole story – Blatt and star LeBron James had an uneven relationship. Cleveland elevated Tyronn Lue to head coach and the Cavaliers won the championship later that year.

HUGH FREEZE Sam Darnold Color Rush Jersey , MISSISSIPPI REBELS: Freeze led Mississippi to a 39-25 record and a Sugar Bowl victory over five seasons. He looked like he was going to survive a lengthy NCAA investigation into the program, but was fired just before preseason practice in 2017 when school officials found a ”pattern of personal misconduct” that started with an investigation into a one-minute call to an escort service.

JOE GIRARDI, FLORIDA MARLINS: Girardi led the Marlins to a 78-84 record during the 2006 season which was quite an accomplishment considering the franchise had a $15 million payroll which was the lowest in baseball that season. His firing wasn’t necessarily about things that happened on the field: Girardi and team owner Jeffrey Loria clashed after Girardi asked Loria to stop yelling at umpires from his seat behind home plate. Girardi would eventually be hired by the Yankees and lead them to a World Series title in 2009.

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Robert Griffin III is poised to resume his NFL career about 35 miles away from where he started it.

The former Washington Redskins quarterback has reached agreement on a 1-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens, who love the idea of having the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner backing up 10-year starter Joe Flacco.

”Obviously, his personality, he’s a confident guy. He’s a very talented quarterback Weston Richburg Color Rush Jersey ,” coach John Harbaugh said of Griffin on Wednesday. ”He’s had a lot of success in this league early on. We’re excited about it. We felt like we needed a No. 2 quarterback.”

Griffin’s last previous stop in an injury-riddled career came in 2016 with the Cleveland Browns. He started five games, winning only one of them.

General manager Ozzie Newsome said Griffin, 28, didn’t have far to travel before showing the Ravens he can still fling the ball.

”He still lives in the D.C./Virginia area,” Newsome said. ”We were bringing in some receivers and we asked him if he would come in and throw and go through a full workout for us. He took a physical. He did all of that. After that, he went to visit another team. We just were able to come to an agreement.”

The terms were finalized late Tuesday night Authentic Saquon Barkley Jersey , and Newsome expects RG3 to sign the contract next week.

”I feel like we got a steal,” Harbaugh said. ”I felt like (Griffin) really wanted to be here. He really wanted to be a Raven.”

Griffin won the Heisman Trophy with Baylor before being selected second overall in the 2012 draft by the Redskins. He enjoyed a sensational rookie season, throwing 20 touchdown passes and only five interceptions, but his career took a decisive downturn after he tore knee ligaments in a playoff loss to Seattle.

RG3 returned in 2013 but was benched after throwing 16 TD passes and 13 interceptions. The following season, a dislocated ankle limited his effectiveness.

Griffin missed the 2015 season after sustaining a concussion during the preseason. After being released by Washington, he signed with the Browns in 2016.

He started the opener http://www.jetsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-thomas-rawls-jersey , sustained a shoulder injury and was put in injured reserve the following Monday. Griffin returned to play the final four games and was the starting quarterback the last time the Browns won, against San Diego on Dec. 24, 2016.

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