Luis Enrique has been sacked by Spain after overseeing a poor World Cup that ended with a shock last-16 defeat to Morocco.
It follows an underwhelming World Cup in which they finished second in their group following a stunning defeat to Japan, before crashing out following another upset against Morocco on Tuesday.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed the news in a post on their social media account on Thursday morning. Less than an hour later, former Under-21 boss Luis de la Fuente was confirmed as Enrique’s replacement.
A statement from Spain’s football federation said:
‘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 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, Jose Francisco Molina, have transmitted the decision to the coach.’
They added: ‘The RFEF energetically wishes Luis Enrique and his team the best of luck in their future professional projects. The coach earns the love and admiration of his collaborators in the national team and of the entire Federation, which will always be his home.’
Enrique took over the role in 2018 and guided Spoi to the semi-finals of Europe 202 where they were knocked out by eventual champions Italy – on a penalty shootout.
Fans have criticised Enrique’s style of play, while the Spanish press blasted Enrique’s side as ‘impotent’, having ‘possession for the sake of it’ and lacking ideas after their shock World Cup exit.
