The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced the departure of Luis Enrique as head coach of the Spanish national team, with Under-21 manager Luis De la Fuente taking his place.
Enrique’s sacking comes on the back of a disappointing outing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup where La Roja narrowly made it past the group phase after finishing second, behind Group E winners Japan.
The 2010 champions exited the competition in Qatar by losing 3-0 to Morocco on penalties in the Round of 16.
“The RFEF would like to thank Luis Enrique and his entire coaching staff at the helm of the absolute national team in recent years,” the statement read.
“The sports management of the RFEF has transferred to the president a report in which it is determined that a new project should start for the Spanish Soccer Team, with the aim of continuing with the growth achieved in recent years thanks to the work carried out by Luis Enrique and their collaborators. Both the president, Luis Rubiales, and the sports director, José Francisco Molina, have transmitted the decision to the coach.”
Enrique became Spain manager in 2018 after Fernando Hierro’s short stint at the 2018 World Cup in Russia where La Roja lost on penalties to the tournament hosts.
Under Enrique’s watch, Spain reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals and finished as runners-up to France in the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League.
In a separate statement, the RFEF announced that De la Fuente will take charge of the national team immediately and will be presented at the federation’s headquarters on Monday, December 12, 2022.
”The RFEF has chosen Luis de la Fuente as the new absolute national coach,” read a statement on the FA website.
“The sports director, José Francisco Molina, has forwarded a report to the president, Luis Rubiales, in which he recommends the choice of the coach from La Rioja, until now the U-21 coach, to lead the new stage that begins after the World Cup in Qatar.
“Once his appointment is ratified by the board of directors, Luis de la Fuente would be presented on Monday, December 12 at 12:30 p.m. in the Luis Aragonés room of the Ciudad del Fútbol.”
De la Fuente has been part of the Spanish youth system for almost a decade, managing the Under 19s from 2013-2018 and winning the 2015 Euro Under-19 Championship with players like Real Madrid duo Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos as well as Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
The 61-year-old then proceeded to the Under-21s where he won the Euro Under-21 Championship in 2019. He also led the Under-23 side to claim the silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, losing 2-1 to Brazil after extra time.
