July 11 – As anticipated, Spain have named former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique as their new head coach after Fernando Hierro stepped down from temporary charge following their shock last-16 World Cup exit to Russia.
Enrique has signed a two-year contract after Spain sacked Julen Lopetegui just two days before their opening World Cup game for joining Real Madrid without apparently telling his bosses, with director of football Hierro named as his replacement in the interim.
The new president of the Spanish FA, Luis Rubiales, said: “We have not spoken to anybody else – only Luis Enrique.”
Rubiales added that the decision to appoint Luis Enrique was unanimous. “We liked his commitment and he has turned down better paid jobs to coach the Spanish national team.”
Enrique has a tough job on his hands given the internal disarray. His first match in charge will be September’s planned UEFA Nations League opener against England at Wembley Stadium.
Spain’s newly-installed sporting director, José Francisco Molina, added: “We need a successful coach, who’s modern and who knows the game style but can make small adjustments. We can’t swipe everything clean, with regards to all the work carried out.”
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