Europe 1 with AFP 2:21 p.m., December 8, 2022

After Spain's surprise elimination in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup against Morocco, La Roja coach Luis Enrique was dismissed from his post on Thursday, the Spanish federation announced in a press release.

It is Luis de la Fuente, coach of the under-21 selection, who succeeds him.

Spain coach Luis Enrique was sacked on Thursday, two days after La Roja were eliminated in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup against Morocco on penalties (0-0 ap, 3-0 pens) , announced the Spanish federation in a press release.

Appointed at the head of Spain in July 2018, he had taken a break between March and November 2019 to mourn his daughter, then had hoisted Spain in 2021 to the semi-finals of the Euro and the final of the Nations League, ending up being criticized for his sterile possession style of play.

Luis de la Fuente succeeds Luis Enrique as coach

Luis de la Fuente has been named the new coach of Spain, the Spanish federation announced Thursday in the wake of the dismissal of Luis Enrique, two days after the elimination in the round of 16 of the World Cup-2022 against Portugal.

Until now coach of the Spanish under-21 selection, Luis de la Fuente will be officially presented on Monday and will take his first steps in March with the qualifying matches for Euro 2024 in Germany.

"The sports management of the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation, editor's note) has sent the president a report which shows the need to start a new project for the selection, with the objective of continuing the progress observed in recent years thanks to the work carried out by Luis Enrique and his collaborators", indicated the Spanish federation in its press release.

"If anyone is responsible, it's me," said Enrique

"President Luis Rubiales and sporting director José Francisco Molina transmitted to the technician (Luis Enrique, editor's note) the decision adopted", specified the RFEF.

With his "defined style", Luis Enrique "bet on young talents and sowed hope for the future of the selection", adds the Spanish federation.

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"If there is someone responsible, it's me," assumed the technician on Tuesday in the corridors of the Education City Stadium, after the defeat against Morocco, assuring that he would "discuss the future" with the president. of the Luis Rubiales federation "at the appropriate time".

On Wednesday, on arrival at Madrid airport, Luis Enrique hugged the members of the coaching staff individually and bade them a moving farewell.