Spain Sacks Luis Enrique After World Cup Exit to Morocco

Luis Enrique pays the price for Spain’s elimination from the World Cup. The former Barça coach is making way for Luis de la Fuente, 61, previously coach of the U21s. It was in July 2018 that Luis Enrique was appointed head of the Spanish national football team. Even if he did not get the expected results in Qatar, he had managed to lead La Roja to the semi-finals of Euro 2021, before being eliminated on penalties by Italy, reports RMC SPORT.

"The sports management of the RFEF has transmitted to the president a report in which it is determined that a new project should start for the Spanish national football team, in order to continue the growth achieved in recent years," specifies the Federation in a press release that seals the end of the coach’s contract.

At 51, Luis Enrique knew that Spain’s elimination against Morocco could cost him his job. He emphasized it in an interview right after the game. "My contract is going to expire, but I feel good in the national team, with the Federation and the president. If it were up to them, I would stay here all my life. But that’s not the case. I have to think calmly about what is best not only for me but also for the national team," Luis Enrique had confided on Tuesday, after Spain’s elimination.