Enrique steps down as Spain manager – following disappointing World Cup defeat to Morocco

53% win record 

Luis Enrique has stepped down as Spain national team following a disappointing World Cup in Qatar. In a statement by the Spanish football federation, it was confirmed that the 52-year-old head coach would part ways with the national team just days after his side were knocked out of the competition in Qatar. The decision came after both parties agreed to not extend his current contract which expires at the end of the year. 

Spain went into the World Cup among the favourites for the trophy, but were somewhat lacklustre in the group stages where they picked up just four points from their opening three games, only to then get knocked out by underdogs Morocco in the Round of 16. Which was no better than the nation’s record in Russia four years prior and continued an envious record of going without a single knockout victory since they won the World Cup in 2010. 

“The RFEF would like to thank Luis Enrique and his entire coaching staff at the helm of the absolute national team in recent years,” read a statement on the Spanish FA website, which stated that a report had been sent to the president, suggesting a change in manager would be ideal for a “new project” to begin. It continued: “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.”

Luis Enrique has stepped down as Spain national team manage pic.twitter.com/5gMMOUgNyh

— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) December 8, 2022

Enrique was initially hired in 2018 to revamp a national team that was struggling to move on from the golden generation of World champions from the 2010 World Cup. Some would suggest that the former Barcelona head coach did exactly that, with the national team now boasting some of the most impressive young players in the world, such as Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati. 

However, while Enrique’s team earned points for promise and their remarkable passing style of play, the European nation failed to win a single trophy during his time in charge of the national team. Despite surprising at Euro 2020 by reaching the semi-finals, this year’s World Cup was seen as a perfect moment for his young side to come of age. And the manner of their elimination has now been considered too much for the head coach and his former federation.  

De La Fuente picked as Enrique successor – will begin new job after World Cup

The Spanish authorities later announced on Thursday afternoon that the association had picked the Spain U-21 head coach, Luis de la Fuente, as Enrique’s successor, who is expected to take on the role after the Qatar World Cup. The new coach will likely make his debut as Spain’s new manager against Norway, as Spain prepare for their qualifying campaign for Euro 2024. 

Prior to managerial stints at Athletic Bilbao and Alavés, De la Fuente worked extensively with the Spain national team’s youth sides. He was in charge of the U-18 and U-19 sides for for five years, before stepping up to the U-21 team in 2018. Now, as something of a natural progression, he will now coach the senior team. 

Homepage