All Julen Lopetegui had to do was stay put.
He was at the helm of one of the world's best and most cohesive national team units entering the World Cup. Spain was back to its sensational ways and hadn't lost in 20 matches (14-0-6) under its manager, who was finding the international game to jive quite well with his methods. Spain was going off a 6/1 to win it all in Russia, third-best in the field. Life was good, and life was straightforward.
Then came the great temptress.
Real Madrid is as alluring and cutthroat a managerial job as there is in the world.