Following a disastrous World Cup exit, Luis de la Fuente has been named Luis Enrique’s replacement as Spain’s head coach.
The Spanish football organisation acknowledged the departure on Thursday after La Furia Roja’s defeat in the round of 16 against Morocco in a 3-0 penalty shootout after a scoreless draw in regular and extra time.
Luis Enrique leaves the role of Spain Manager
This week, La Roja was eliminated from the 2022 World Cup very early after losing to Morocco on penalties in the round of 16.
The RFEF said on Thursday that manager Enrique would be departing his position due to this failure, and he will pay the price for it.
A statement read: “The RFEF would like to thank Luis Enrique and his coaching staff at the national team’s helm in recent years.”
“Both the president, Luis Rubiales, and the sports director, Jose Francisco Molina, have passed the decision to the coach.”
“The RFEF sports management has transferred to the president a report in which it is determined that a new project should start for the Spanish football Team to continue with the growth achieved in recent years thanks to work done by Luis Enrique.”
“Luis Enrique qualified for two semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League, of the three he managed as a coach. He reached the semi-final of Euro 2020 with his stamp and through a defined style. He chose young players, which has given the Spanish team hope for the future.”
OFFICIAL: Luis Enrique has stepped down as Spain's head coach ?? pic.twitter.com/EVXULFzzY8
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 8, 2022
Enrique was first appointed as Spain’s boss in 2018 before taking some time off the following year to spend time with his ill daughter.
At the end of 2019, he returned to his position and guided La Roja to the Euro 2020 semi-finals.
Luis de la Fuente becomes the new Spain manager
Luis de la Fuente has been announced as the new manager of the Spain national team.
“The RFEF has chosen Luis de la Fuente as the new national coach,” the RFEF said in a statement.
“The president, Luis Rubiales, has received a report from the sports director, Jose Francisco Molina. In the report, he recommends hiring La Roja’s current U-21 coach to lead the new stage that begins after the World Cup in Qatar.”
“Molina will present the report for his appointment to the RFEF board of directors next Monday, December 12.”
“Luis de la Fuente has successfully managed in the lower categories of the National Team since his arrival at the RFEF.”
Luis de la Fuente replaces Luis Enrique as the Spanish national teamās head coach
He has previously coached the Spain under-19s, who won the 2015 European Championships under his lead, then the under-21s and 23s, and he also won a silver medal for Spain at the 2020 Olympics ??āļø pic.twitter.com/zKtdbHuIB4
— The Coaches' Voice (@CoachesVoice) December 8, 2022
The U19 Spanish team was led to the 2015 European Championship by De La Fuente. Three years later, he subsequently won gold with the U18 squad in the Mediterranean Games.
Following these achievements, he became Spain’s under-21 coach in July 2018. Only a year later, he guided the team to the European title in Italy.
It was Spain’s seventh triumph at this level, which they earned by overcoming Germany in the final.
De La Fuente also won Spain an Olympic silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
It is merely a formality, but the board of directors must still approve De La Fuente’s employment.
