Luis Enrique has left his post as Spain manager after the side’s World Cup last-16 exit to Morocco, with the national team’s under-21 coach, Luis de la Fuente, to replace him.
The Spanish FA (RFEF) issued a statement on Thursday thanking Luis Enrique for his service and expressing its desire to start “a new project” for the national team. A subsequent statement added: “The RFEF has chosen Luis de la Fuente as the new national coach.
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“The sporting management of the RFEF has handed to the president a report in which it is determined a new project should start for the Spain national team, with the aim of continuing with the growth achieved in recent years thanks to the work of Luis Enrique and his coaches.
“Both the president, Luis Rubiales, and the sports director, Jose Francisco Molina, have transmitted the decision to [Luis Enrique]. The RFEF energetically wishes Luis Enrique and his team the best of luck in their future professional projects.”
De La Fuente’s appointment is set to be confirmed next Monday, 12 December, in a meeting of the RFEF’s board of directors. The 61-year-old has previously managed Spain’s youth sides at under-19 and under-21 level, winning European titles with both age groups.
Luis Enrique, who guided Barcelona to Champions League glory in 2015, took charge of his country in 2018, shortly after Spain’s exit from that year’s World Cup. He stepped aside for four months in 2019 for personal reasons but returned to oversee a youthful Spanish side’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
Spain also reached a Nations League final under his guidance but the coach’s future had been the subject of speculation for some time, with reports he was considering a return to club football after the World Cup. Enrique had been unwilling to discuss the situation after Tuesday’s loss, beyond accepting the blame for Spain’s early exit.
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The 2010 winners had begun their World Cup campaign in style with a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica but were then held to a draw by Germany and beaten by Japan in their final group game. They went out 3-0 on penalties to Morocco after being held to a goalless draw over 120 minutes.