1. No problem. World Cups are about players, not coaches.

Spain have a great squad with good balance of experienced guys like Ramos, Pique, Alba. If you have Iniesta on the pitch, no one can be more influential in the dugout. The quality of the team is so high they can win it without a coach. Especially that unlike club competitions, results are more random in international games. Verdict: can go up to the final.

2. No problem. They hated Lopetegui anyway

Who said Lopetegui was a good coach at all? He mostly dealt with youth and never won anything special in his career. Spain might have smashed everyone in qualification, but this is again up to the quality of the personnel. In this case the team's performance will only boost after they got read of the guy. Probably the Barcelona players will be specially happy that a future Real Madrid coach lost his job in such a way. Verdict: short-term boost can take them to the quarterfinal.

3. Nothing special. Hierro is good enough for that.

Hierro did not have much experience (he only coached Oviedo in 2016/17 season), but neither had Lopetegui if we take truly top experience. Instead Hierro has a much better playing career and is a true legend of Spanish football and former captain of Furia Roja. What he lacks in theoretical knowledge and tactics he can make up in charisma and psychological side. Mentality can be more important in a tournament with a maximum of 7 games to play. Verdict: they can even win the World Cup.

4. Trouble. Hierro is not good enough for that

Hierro can start panicking. Should he just do what Lopetegui did not to ruin the whole thing? Should he recall Del Bosque and change everything radically. Should there be something in between? Pressure is high, something he never faced in Oviedo. You have to be really good to keep up with it. And even Hierro does, is he good enough in terms of game management? Will he have enough time for plan B and C? Will he take decisions himself or listen to assistants? Too many logical questions that do not have an answer so far. Verdict: Round of 16.

5. Trouble. Lopetegui is a good coach and mattered for tactics and player management

Coaching experience is something you cannot get in a fortnight. Lopetegui had it enough to coach Spain through qualification. Furia Roja recorded 9 wins out of 10 games plus a draw vs Italy, the group's runners-up. 36 goals scored, just 3 conceded — isn't this a proof of a great coaching abilities? 7 clean sheets and 3,6 goals on average per match show there was something in this Lopetegui. Verdict: Round of 16.

6. Disaster. The team are now embarrassed and too shocked to play

The players loved Lopetegui and now he is gone. The players hated Head of FA and he is still in Russia. Stupid dismissal of a great guy before the start shocked the team. Everyone is unhappy, rule and order have gone, everyone is embarrassed. Hierro cannot do anything about that. Verdict: Spain goes home after group stage.

7. Catastrophe. Lopetegui's approach was too unique and now he's not there

The tactics inside is gone. Jokes during training sessions are gone. Chemistry is gone. There is just no second Lopetegui. When it comes to choosing a playing scheme, no one can match him. Verdict: Spain goes home after group stage.