Spain announce Luis Enrique’s replacement as their next manager

Shortly after confirming Luis Enrique’s departure, Spain announced the man who will succeed the former Barcelona and Roma manager.

Luis de la Fuente has replaced Luis Enrique as the new head coach of the Spanish national football team.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation has chosen De la Fuente as the man to lead its new project upon deciding to not extend Enrique’s contract following Spain’s last-16 defeat to Morocco at the World Cup on Tuesday.

De la Fuente has been involved with the national team at youth level since 2013. The 61-year-old has won the UEFA European Championship twice as a youth coach, first in 2015 with the Under 19 side and again in 2019 for the Under 21 team. He even led Spain’s Under 23 side to Silver in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

🔴 OFICIAL | La @RFEF confía en Luis de la Fuente como nuevo seleccionador nacional @SEFutbol

✏️ La junta directiva debe aprobar el nombramiento el próximo lunes

🔗 https://t.co/Pj4Wf6McMx #VamosEspaña pic.twitter.com/V3iIvR5EUx

— RFEF (@rfef) December 8, 2022

De la Fuente also had a brief six-game stint in charge of the senior team between June and August 2021. Despite the absence of several players and staff members due to COVID-19, he managed three victories (D2 L1) by calling up a host of young players to the squad.

The former Athletic Club and Alaves boss has been in charge of the Under 21 side since July 2018. In 42 games across all competitions, Spain won 34 times (D4 L4) under his leadership.

Once the RFEF board has approved De la Fuente’s appointment, he’ll be presented to the media midday on Monday. His first official game in charge will be on March 25 in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Norway.