Luis de la Fuente has been named the new manager of Spain, taking over for Luis Enrique, who was fired earlier today.
After a shocking penalty shootout loss to Morocco in Qatar on Tuesday, La Roja was eliminated from the World Cup.
After 120 minutes of goalless play, the 2010 champions failed to score on any of their penalty kicks.
The unexpected outcome was preceded by a group stage campaign marked by a 7-0 win over Costa Rica, a 1-1 tie with Germany, and a 2-1 loss to Japan that left them finishing second in Group E.
A statement from the Royal Football Federation (RFEF) read: “The RFEF would like to thank Luis Enrique and his entire coaching staff at the helm of the 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 soccer team.
“The aim is to continue 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 sports director, Jose Francisco Molina, have transmitted the decision to the coach.
“The RFEF has chosen Luis de la Fuente as the new national coach.”
When Spain’s Euro 2024 qualifying schedule gets underway in March of next year with games against Scotland and Norway, De la Fuente’s first game in command will be then.
A new era
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De la Fuente, 61, has been promoted from his previous role as Under-21s boss. guiding the young side to European Championship glory in 2019.
In addition, he helped Spain win a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics despite losing to Brazil in overtime.
During Luis Enrique’s isolation due to coronavirus procedures in June 2021, the former Athletic Bilbao left-back took leadership of the senior team for a friendly against Lithuania as a part of the Euro 2020 warm-up.
He won the Copa del Rey and LaLiga titles twice with Athletic as a player in 1984.
Spain’s penalty pain
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RFEF’s decision brings to an end Luis Enrique’s tenure after a promising but altogether disappointing time in charge of his country.
The 52-year-old first took the role in July 2018 but stepped down the following July due to personal reasons.
When he took control again in November 2019, he oversaw Spain’s progression to the Euro 2020 semifinals, where they were defeated by eventual champions Italy on penalties.
Between 1991 and 2002, the former midfielder for Real Madrid and Barcelona amassed 62 caps for his country.
He left the Camp Nou in May 2014 and went on to win nine titles, including a treble in his first season in Catalonia, after stints in the Roma and Celta Vigo dugouts.