Luis Enrique

Spain announced the departure of Luis Enrique as coach of the national team following the team's shock defeat to Morocco at the World Cup.

The Spanish FA added in their statement: "The RFEF energetically wishes Luis Enrique and his team the best of luck in their future professional projects. [7-0](/football/report?gameId=633798) demolition of [Costa Rica](/football/team?id=214), the country's biggest ever World Cup win. He renewed the blood of the National Team with players under 20 years of age and reunited everyone around the Spain team." Luis Enrique had said in the aftermath of Tuesday's loss to Morocco after a goalless draw that he would discuss his future with Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales next week. He also said the national team needed "support" to allow De la Fuente to succeed while in charge of Spain. "The RFEF has chosen Luis de la Fuente as the new national coach. "It's time to say goodbye and in these cases just a small reflection... The Spanish FA announced that Luis Enrique would be replaced by Spain under-21 manager Luis de la Fuente. The announcement of Luis Enrique's departure comes as no surprise. We will speak with him after the World Cup to assess the work that is being done and he will have complete freedom if he wants to leave. I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you more. [Spain](/football/team?id=164) announced the departure of Luis Enrique as coach of the national team on Thursday following the team's [shock penalty shootout defeat](/football/report?gameId=633841) on Tuesday to [Morocco](/football/team?id=2869) in the round of 16 at the World Cup in Qatar, and his replacement was named.

Luis Enrique has left his post as Spain manager after their World Cup exit, with the under-21s coach, Luis de la Fuente, to replace him.

Doha, Qatar (AP) -- Luis Enrique was replaced by Luis de la Fuente as Spain's coach on Thursday, two days after the national team was eliminated in the ...

Enrique was dismissed of his role as Spain boss on Thursday morning after the national side's terrible World Cup campaign saw them get eliminated by Morocco ...

What the team needs is SUPPORT in all its meaning so that Luis de la Fuente can achieve everything he wants. 'It's time to say goodbye and in these cases just a little reflection... 'Of course, to the players who have been exemplary in their behavior and faithful to the idea raised. Also to the assistants, who work tirelessly to help the players and the staff in everything we need. 'It has been very special to be a part of this. To all the RFEF employees with whom we share experiences of all kinds.

This “idea” had previously driven a young Spain side to within a penalty kick of the Euro 2020 final, and brought qualification for two Nations League final ...

[Nico Williams](https://theathletic.com/football/player/nico-williams-3ww4cGhbJ5lTcHqH/) and [Alejandro Balde](https://theathletic.com/football/player/alejandro-balde-8v0WQV7fSHX3uugz/), lack the experience to really question their boss. Directly following the elimination by Morocco, there was a contrasting view discussed at the highest levels of the federation that the team had not progressed at all in four years. No member of the team said they had adopted the wrong approach or tactics, just that the idea they had for the game had not worked out as expected. Some voices close to players say the problem is not so much the style of play as the lack of leaders or experienced characters who would take initiative themselves and not just pass it on. None of Enrique’s top-three takers — Sarabia, [Carlos Soler](https://theathletic.com/football/player/carlos-soler-ajYYZrGjt22WZoVa/) and Busquets — were able to score from the spot. “In the end, the attitude was 10 out of 10 by all the team, not just today, every week, every day. The Asturian had clearly stated to the players before the game that they needed to be more ruthless with their passing, break lines and switch the play. Maybe Pedri or Gavi had the talent to one day match Xavi and Iniesta’s achievements, but elsewhere in the team the level was not the same. Pedri, characteristically, had the most honest and perceptive analysis of what had gone wrong: “We did not have enough rhythm with the ball to move them from side to side.” The mood among the players was still generally positive, and fully supportive of their coach. The 2-1 defeat to Japan generated plenty of anger — artificial or not — among a substantial section of the Spanish media who had been biting their tongue when all was going well for Luis Enrique. [Thiago Alcantara](https://theathletic.com/football/player/thiago-alcantara-uOkkaZsOvZ89x8Fz/), Iago Aspas or Borja Iglesias might have been good choices, and all three had been in Luis Enrique squads before, but fell by the wayside.

Luis Enrique is back on the manager market after crashing out of the World Cup with Spain.

More than 1000 passes, hardly any shots on target, a miserable penalty shootout: that's what Spain do. And that's the recipe for a change of manager.

Enrique was sacked as Spain head coach on Thursday following their shock World Cup last-16 exit at the hands of Morocco, which saw them crash out of the ...