Coach of the Spanish National team, Luis Enrique has stepped down his role as coach following their World Cup exit.
On Tuesday, Spain played a round of 16 tie against the Atlas Lions of Morocco in a game where they looked to be favourites. The two sides however could not be separated after 120 mins which resulted in a penalty shootout. Luis Enrique saw his side lose the penalty shootout in which none of his players could even convert one.
Following this defeat, there was a lot of speculations about the coach’s future.The Spanish Federation has confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the 52 year old manager would no longer be coaching the National team.
“RFEF would like to thank Luis Enrique and his entire coaching staff at the helm of the senior 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 Football Team, with the aim of continuing with the growth achieved in recent years thanks to the work carried out by Luis Enrique and his collaborators.
Both the president, Luis Rubiales, and the Sporting Director, José Francisco Molina, have communicated the decision to the coach.
The Asturian coach managed to give a new impetus to the national team since his arrival, in 2018, through a profound renewal that has consolidated a generational change in the team and in Spanish football.Luis Enrique qualified for two Final Four of the UEFA Nations League, of the three he played as coach; and reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020 with his own stamp and through a defined style.
He opted for young talent and has sown hope for the future of the Spanish team.The RFEF energetically wishes Luis Enrique and his team the best of luck in their future professional projects.
The coach has earned the love and admiration of his team in the national team and of the entire Federation, which will always be his home.” – statement by the Spanish Federation.
The formal Barcelona coach took over the Spanish side in 2018 following their World Cup exit which was also in the round of 16.
He managed to get the team to the semi finals of the 2020 Euros and also led the national team to the final of the 2020 UEFA Nations League. Luis Enrique has also secured a semi final spot in this year’s UEFA Nations League for the La Furia Roja.Luis Enrique managed 53 games ( both official and unofficial) for Spain and managed to win 29 of them giving him a win percentage of 54.72 %.
