Spain has appointed former Barcelona manager, Luis Enrique, as their new coach to replace Julen Lopetegui, the country’s football federation (RFEF) announced on Monday.
The RFEF was looking for a new coach since sacking Lopetegui on the eve of the World Cup following the manager’s decision to take over the Real Madrid job despite him having a contract with the national team.
Enrique has been on a sabbatical since leaving Barcelona in May 2017 and was a reported target of Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in April.
The RFEF’s executive committee met on Monday and unanimously approved Enrique’s appointment just eight days after the national team, under caretaker manager Fernando Hierro, were eliminated on penalties by hosts Russia in the second round of the World Cup.
“It has been approved unanimously by the RFEF’s executive committee the appointment of Luis Enrique as national team coach for the next two years,” RFEF president Luis Rubiales said in a news conference at the federation’s headquarters in Las Rozas, Madrid.
“There’s a total agreement. He’s had bigger offers but he wanted to be national team coach and I want to highlight the sacrifice he has made.
“He will be unveiled next week.”
Enrique, 48, guided Barca to nine titles in his three campaigns in charge of the first team, including a treble-winning in his first season at the helm.
He previously coached Roma, Celta Vigo and Barca’s reserves. He also enjoyed a successful playing career, competing for both Real Madrid and Barcelona.
He scored 12 goals in 62 appearances for Spain, was a member of the squad that won gold at the 1992 Olympics and represented the national team at three World Cups as well as Euro 1996.
