Football
Adriana Garcia 8y

Spain boss Julen Lopetegui denies Iker Casillas offered coaching role

Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has labelled as "science fiction" media speculation that he has offered FC Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas the chance to be his assistant.

Lopetegui, who is to announce on Friday his first squad since taking over from Vicente del Bosque in July, was photographed having a private lunch with Casillas on Wednesday in Porto.

Marca has reported that Lopetegui offered the 35-year-old Casillas a position on his coaching staff.

"It's science fiction that I have offered him a chance to be my assistant," Lopetegui told AS. "He is an active player. Casillas and I are friends. I went to Porto to resolve a private issue and took advantage and had lunch with him.

"I don't know who could have taken that photograph but I don't care. I have enough on my plate with matters regarding the national team and Friday's list."

Lopetegui was in charge of FC Porto when Casillas signed for the Portuguese giants from Real Madrid last summer.

He was dismissed in January after Porto failed to progress past the group stages of the Champions League.

Casillas did not play in Spain's four games at Euro 2016 with Del Bosque picking Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea as his starter.

However, Casillas, who made his Spain debut in 2000 and is his country's most capped player with 167 appearances, has not given an indication he wants to retire from international football.

Marca claims that Lopetegui will not include Casillas on Friday's list. Spain take on Belgium in a friendly in Brussels on Sept. 1, which is Lopetegui's first game in charge, and four days later host Liechtenstein in Leon in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

"Whether I decide to include him or not will be known on Friday," former Barcelona keeper Lopetegui said of Casillas. "We will do what is needed.

"In the case of Casillas and everyone else, it will be the performances and not the past successes that will be taken into account when making the list."

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