Luis Enrique replaced as Spain coach after World Cup exit
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Luis Enrique was changed by Jose Luis de la Fuente as Spain’s coach on Thursday after the nationwide group was eradicated within the spherical of 16 on the World Cup.
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The announcement comes two days after Spain misplaced to Morocco 3-0 in a penalty shootout after a scoreless attract common and additional time.
The federation thanked Luis Enrique, however stated it was time to “start a new project” to maintain the expansion achieved by the coach lately.
Other candidates who had been thought-about in addition to De la Fuente, who was Spain’s under-21 coach, included former Belgium supervisor Roberto Martinez and former Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelino Garcia Toral.
Spain obtained off to an excellent begin in Qatar, routing Costa Rica 7-0, however La Roja couldn’t win once more in its final three matches. It drew 1-1 with Germany and misplaced 2-1 to Japan earlier than being held by Morocco.
Luis Enrique took over the nationwide group in 2018 to begin revamping the squad after its elimination within the spherical of 16 of the World Cup in Russia. He briefly left due to the sickness and eventual dying of his younger daughter, however returned in 2019.
He helped Spain attain the final 4 of the Nations League twice, together with this season and final yr, when it misplaced the ultimate to France.
He additionally led Spain to the semifinals of the European Championship final yr, shedding to Italy in a penalty shootout.
Luis Enrique’s contract ended after the World Cup. The former Barcelona participant and coach had stated moments after the loss to Morocco that he would take a while to relaxation earlier than beginning talks with the federation about his future. He stated he would have preferred to stick with the nationwide group “forever,” however knew that it won’t be attainable.
The 52-year-old Luis Enrique, not way back seen as one of the crucial uptight coaches in soccer, had opened up on the World Cup, doing streaming periods, occurring bicycle rides and speaking frankly about controversial points.
The group’s elimination in Qatar raised extra questions on whether or not Spain ought to begin overhauling its soccer philosophy and do away with the “tiki-taka” ball-possession fashion that has not produced outcomes not too long ago. Luis Enrique had stated he wasn’t planning to relinquish the “tiki-taka” if he remained as coach.
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