Spain Sacks Luis Enrique Over World Cup After Shock Loss To Morocco

Spain’s national team manager, Luis Enrique, has been sacked following the country’s exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

CityNews reports that Spain was kicked out of the world football competition on Tuesday following a shock penalty shootout defeat to Morocco in Qatar.

The 2010 champions had a full-time game struggle with the African team and could not convert any of their spot-kicks even after extra times.

On Thursday, a statement from the Royal Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed Enrique’s contract termination.

It reads: “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 statement added: “The RFEF energetically wishes Luis Enrique and his team the best of luck in their future professional projects.

“The coach earns the love and admiration of his collaborators in the national team and of the entire federation, which will always be his home.”

CityNews Nigeria recalls that Enrique first headed the Spanish football team in July 2018 but stepped down the following July due to personal reasons.

He returned to the helm in November 2019 and oversaw Spain’s run to the Euro 2020 semi-finals, where they also succumbed to a penalty shootout loss to eventual champions Italy.

The 52-year-old former Real Madrid and Barcelona player won 62 caps for his nation between 1991 and 2002.

However, after spells in the Roma and Celta Vigo dugout, Enrique returned to Camp Nou in May 2014, winning nine trophies, including a treble in his first campaign in Catalonia.

There are speculations that Spain will likely select Under-21s coach Luis de la Fuente as Luis Enrique’s successor.