Spain has sacked Luis Enrique as the head coach of the Spain national team and immediately appointed a replacement for the role.
Luis Enrique took over as Spain’s national team head coach in 2018, taking the team to the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup, where they crashed out in the round of 16 through penalties.
In the 2022 World Cup, the team suffered a similar fate in the round of 16 after losing to Morocco via a penalty shootout.
The team opened their World Cup campaign on a good note walloping Costa Rica 7-0 before settling for a 1-1 draw with Germany and wrapping up the group with a shock defeat to Japan.
They qualified on goal difference to the round of 16 but were bundled out by Morocco. The shock result has prompted the Royal Spanish Football Federation, RFEF, to part ways with the former Barcelona manager and immediately appointed Luis De La Fuente as the new head coach.
The statement by the Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed the new development in the Spanish national team, highlighting and thanking Luis Enrique for all he has done for the team.
RFEF also thanked the entire coaching staff who joined Luis Enrique in managing the team.
They also stated that to effect the new development, 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 Football Team, to continue with the growth achieved in recent years by Luis Enrique.
The former Barcelona manager took charge of the Spanish national team in 2018. He qualified for two Final-Four of the UEFA Nations League, and reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
The Spanish FA has immediately replaced Luis Enrique with Luis De La Fuente. He is expected to help Spain qualify for Euro 2024.
Who is Luis De La Fuente
Born on 21 June 1961 in Haro, Spain, Luis De La Fuente Castillo is a former Spanish footballer who coached Spain’s U-21 side before being promoted to the manager of the senior national team following the departure of former head coach Luiz Enrique.
Luis De La Fuente played as a center-back as a professional footballer. He started his youth career with Atletico Bilbao in 1978, playing for one year before being promoted to Athletico Bilbao’s main team in 1979.
He made a total of 205 appearances, scoring five goals. In 1987, he joined Sevilla, making 84 appearances and scoring 4 goals.
Luis De La Fuente returned to Athletico Bilbao in 1991, making 22 appearances, and scoring one goal in his second stint with the club.
His final club as a professional footballer was Alaves, where he spent the last year of his professional career making 35 appearances and scoring 3 goals.
De La Fuente was never called for Spain’s senior national team throughout his football career, but he had made appearances with the U17, U21, and U23 teams.
After just a season with Deportivo Alaves, De La Fuente announced his retirement from football and began his professional coaching career.
As a footballer, he was in La Liga and Copa Del Rey with Atletico Madrid.
De La Fuente started his coaching career with Club Portugalete in the regional leagues. He has coached Aurrera, Athletico Bilbao, Alaves, Spain U19, U21, and U23, before emerging as the head of Spain Senior national team after the exit of Luis Enrique.
