Ex-Spain boss Luis Enrique shares emotional farewell message after being sacked as first-team coach
Former Spain boss Luis Enrique has shared an emotional goodbye message after he was dismissed from the role of first-team coach.
Enrique was dismissed of his role as Spain boss on Thursday morning after the national side’s terrible World Cup campaign saw them get eliminated by Morocco in the last-16.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) wasted no time in appointing a new first-team coach – in former U21 boss Luis de la Fuente – and Enrique has wished his successor well in a message on social media.
In a post on his social media, Enrique wrote: ‘On my behalf and that of all of us who make up the staff: It all started 4 years ago and how fast time has passed. I can only be super grateful to those who signed me two times (President Rubiales and sports director Molina). To all the RFEF employees with whom we share experiences of all kinds.
‘Of course, to the players who have been exemplary in their behavior and faithful to the idea raised. I’m sorry I couldn’t help more. Also to the assistants, who work tirelessly to help the players and the staff in everything we need.
‘It has been very special to be a part of this. Last but not least, to the fans who have uniformly conveyed their support to us at all times and especially the most delicate ones.
‘It’s time to say goodbye and in these cases just a little reflection… What the team needs is SUPPORT in all its meaning so that Luis de la Fuente can achieve everything he wants. Let’s go SPAIN! Until forever. Thank you! LEMG’.
Enrique’s second stint in charge of the national side came to an end after their dismal World Cup campaign saw them qualify second in the group before getting against Morocco.
Enrique took over the role in 2018 from former Spain teammate Fernando Hierro after they crashed out of that year’s World Cup in a penalty shootout defeat to hosts Russia in the last-16.
They did show progress at Euro 2020 where they made it to the semi-finals where they were knocked out by eventual champions Italy – on a penalty shootout.
Ahead of Qatar, Enrique instructed his players to each take 1,000 penalties to help them avoid a further repeat of another heartbreaking exit after a shootout.
That did nothing to help them though as Carlos Soler, Pablo Sarabia and Sergio Busquets all failed to score from the spot.
As his successor, Spain have chosen Luis de la Fuente – who was the coach of the Spanish U21 side until recently.
De le Fuente has been part of the national coaching staff for nine years after first taking charge of the U19 side in 2013.
He became the U21 coach in 2018 and won the UEFA European Under-21 Championships a year later after a 2-1 final win over Germany.
In June 2021, de le Fuente and his U21 side filled in for the senior squad after they went into isolation following Sergio Busquets’ positive COVID-19 test.
