Spain Begin New Era Under La Fuente

Spain have announced Luis de la Fuente as their new head coach following Luis Enrique’s departure.

Enrique has left his role with the national side following the team’s disappointing 2022 World Cup, which saw them lose on penalties to Morocco in the last-16 stage of the competition.

“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,” read a statement from the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

“Both the president, Luis Rubiales, and the sports director, Jose Francisco Molina, have transmitted the decision to the coach”, an earlier statement sacking Enrique had read.

The Spanish FA have now announced Enrique’s replacement, with De la Fuente named as the new head coach.

“The RFEF [Royal Spanish Football Federation] has chosen Luis de la Fuente as the new absolute national coach,” read the statement.

“The sports director, Jose 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.”

De la Fuente became manager of Spain Under-19s in 2013, while he has spent the last four years with Spain Under-21s.

The 61-year-old has won the European Championship with both Spain Under-19s and Spain Under-21s, while he delivered a silver meal at the 2020 Olympics with Spain Under-23s.