Luis Enrique will step down as head coach of the Spanish national team, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced.
Following the World Cup in Russia and with a little gap in 2019, Luis Enrique assumed control of the Spanish national team in 2018. Despite reaching the semifinal of the Euros during his first stint, and despite their heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Morocco in the World Cup Round of 16, the RFEF decided not to renew his contract.
The RFEF commended the Asturian for his efforts but decided that a “new initiative” was required to advance the Spain side. They still haven’t named a replacement.
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Their full statement reads below.
The RFEF would like to thank Luis Enrique and his entire coaching staff at the helm of the senior 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 Football Team, with the aim of continuing 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 Sporting Director, José Francisco Molina, have communicated the decision to the coach.
The Asturian coach managed to give a new impetus to the national team since his arrival, in 2018, through a profound renewal that has consolidated a generational change in the team and in Spanish football.
Luis Enrique qualified for two Final Four of the UEFA Nations League, of the three he played as coach; and reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020 with his own stamp and through a defined style. He opted for young talent and has sown hope for the future of the Spanish team.
The RFEF energetically wishes Luis Enrique and his team the best of luck in their future professional projects. The coach has earned the love and admiration of his team in the national team and of the entire Federation, which will always be his home.