Lopetegui appointed coach of Qatar

Julen Lopetegui, sacked by Premier League side West Ham in January, was appointed the new head coach of Qatar on Thursday.

“Ready for a new chapter. Welcome Lopetegui.

“We’re excited to embark on this journey together,” the Qatar football federation wrote on social media.

“I’m ready” the Spaniard said in a video accompanying the post on X.

The 58-year-old former Real Madrid and Spain coach has signed a contract with the hosts of the 2022 World Cup until 2027 when Qatar will defend their Asian…