Spain has parted methods with coach Luis Enrique after the 2010 champions have been dumped out of the World Cup by Morocco on the last-16 stage, rapidly naming his alternative as under-21s boss Luis de la Fuente.
Spain began their marketing campaign in Qatar in fashion by hammering Costa Rica 7-0 and certified for the knockout section regardless of a shock 2-1 defeat to Japan.
They have been robust favourites to win their last-16 match towards Morocco however crashed out on penalties after the sport completed goalless following extra-time.
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“Both the president, Luis Rubiales, and the sporting director, Jose Francisco Molina, have advised the coach their determination,” the RFEF (soccer affiliation) stated in an announcement.
They stated they wished to thank Luis Enrique and his employees for his or her work, however had determined to start out a “new mission”.
Shortly afterwards, the federation introduced that De la Fuente, who led Spain’s males’s group to the silver medal ultimately 12 months’s Olympics, was the brand new man within the sizzling seat.
Luis Enrique expressed his gratitude to the RFEF for the chance he had been given in a farewell message on Instagram.
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“What the nationwide group wants is assist, in all senses, in order that Luis de la Fuente can obtain what he needs,” he wrote, additionally thanking the gamers, employees and followers.
“(To) the gamers, who’ve been exemplary of their behaviour and trustworthy to the concept put earlier than them, I’m sorry to not have been in a position that can assist you extra.”
Spain final lifted a serious trophy a decade in the past at Euro 2012, whereas they haven’t gained a single knockout recreation on the Word Cup since triumphing in South Africa in 2010.
Enrique took over in 2018 after Spain’s disappointing exhibiting on the World Cup in Russia, and led La Roja to the semi-finals of Euro 2020, the place they have been additionally crushed on penalties, by Italy.
His time as Spain coach was characterised by a agency dedication to sustaining possession.
They tried greater than 1,000 passes towards Morocco however ended up with nothing to point out for it, forcing Yassine Bounou into just one save earlier than the shootout.
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The RFEF introduced De la Fuente as Luis Enrique’s alternative and his appointment can be ratified subsequent week by the federation’s board of administrators.
“The new coach will make his debut in March for Euro 2024 qualifiers, taking cost of his first video games towards Norway and Scotland,” the RFEF stated in an announcement.
De la Fuente can be formally introduced on Monday as the brand new coach. The 61-year-old likes his groups to maintain maintain of the ball however is extra versatile than Luis Enrique and keen to attempt different methods when crucial.
Many of the younger gamers within the Spain World Cup squad beforehand performed for De la Fuente at youth stage.
