Nfter the knockout round of the World Cup in Qatar, Luis Enrique is no longer Spain’s national soccer coach. As the Spanish association RFEF announced on Thursday, the sports management decided against extending the contract and will instead take a new path. His successor will be the previous U-21 national coach Luis de la Fuente (61).
Association president Luis Rubiales and sports director Jose Francisco Molina informed the 52-year-old of the decision. A “new project for the Spanish national team should be launched” that builds on the work of Enrique and his staff, according to a press release.
Luis Enrique said goodbye to Spain’s national football team with a letter. “The players were role models in their behavior and followed our game idea. I regret not being able to help them more,” he shared. At least outwardly, he appeared without resentment and thanked the RFEF association, the staff, his coaching staff and the fans extensively. “It was very special to have been a part of it.”
De la Fuente, who has been in charge of young talent selections for the association since 2013, has yet to be officially confirmed by the committees. He is then scheduled to make his first appearances in a new role in March in the qualifiers for EURO 2024 in Germany against Norway and Scotland.
Enrique had previously left his future open after losing 3-0 on penalties to African outsiders Morocco. The association has recognized his work since 2018, with which Enrique gave new impetus to Furia Roja. However, the long-time FC Barcelona professional missed a great success, at the EM 2021 his team failed in the semi-finals against Italy.
In the evening, the association announced that Albert Luque will be the new sports director for the national team after José Francisco Molina did not extend his contract. The 44-year-old former striker once won 17 caps for Spain.
