Fernando Hierro: We cannot change two years of work in two days FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 - Spain His first press conference as Spain coach

The Spanish FA took the decision on Wednesday to replace Julen Lopetegui with Fernando Hierro and the new La Roja coach has had his say on his new challenge.

His focus is on Friday's clash with Portugal and he is keen to keep up the good work of his predecessor.

"It is a nice challenge and an exciting one," Hierro said in his introductory press conference.

"The circumstances are what they are and from now on I accept the responsibility bravely, it can't be any other way.

"We have a group of players who have been together for two years to work towards the World Cup and I have been sporting director, so I understand the motivation is huge.

"We cannot alter two years of hard work in the coming days.

"Many of the staff are still with us and we've watched videos about the upcoming match, so we have to be intelligent and coherent.

"From now until the Portugal match, we don't have the ability to change much.

"I have been at all the other training sessions and have been present day to day.

"We cannot change anything in two days.

"They key is to change as little as possible."

Asked what was said by the players when they were informed of the change, Hierro explained that they told him they are still excited and motivated.

"I told the players that I can look them all in the eyes," the new coach told reporters.

"I am very calm and there is no reason to not fight for what we came for.

"The squad is motivated and we have a great opportunity, so the focus has to be on what we came for, which is to fight for the World Cup.

"We cannot let these two days become an excuse.

"The priority is to focus on sporting matters.

"The players are excellent professionals and good and mature people.

"It's not an easy day for anyone, but they do a good job of being good sportspeople."

As for the man he has just replaced, Hierro thanked Lopetegui for his efforts in qualifying.

"I have the maximum admiration and care for Julen [Lopetegui] for the work he has done these two years and I wish him all the best on his new adventure," he said.

"We have known each other for a long time and I was with him after his decision, he called me to say goodbye."

Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish FA and the man who took the decision to fire Lopetegui, also addressed the media.

"I thank Fernando Hierro for having accepted this enormous challenge and we put the national team in his hands," Rubiales said.

"We always said we wanted to alter as little as possible, so the replacement had to be someone who knows the players.

"They have welcomed him happily and with open arms and they want to help him in everything."

Hierro has already gotten to work, overseeing a training session in Krasnodar.