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Luis Enrique has been named as the new coach of Spain.<\/p>\nLuis Enrique has been named as the new coach of Spain.<\/p>\n
The Spanish federation (RFEF) has announced the former Barcelona boss will be the full-time successor to Julen Lopetegui.<\/p>\n
Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the World Cup last month after accepting a post at Real Madrid.<\/p>\n
Fernando Hierro, previously the RFEF\u2019s sporting director, took over on a temporary basis for the tournament but has not continued following Spain\u2019s disappointing showing in Russia.<\/p>\n
Enrique, 48, who won two La Liga titles and the Champions League in charge of Barca, has signed a two-year contract with no escape clause.<\/p>\n
Roberto Martinez, the former Wigan and Everton manager who has guided Belgium to the World Cup semi-finals, had also been linked with the job, as had Michel and Quique Sanchez Flores.<\/p>\n
The RFEF, however, says nobody else was in consideration.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a press conference widely covered in the Spanish media, RFEF president Luis Rubiales said: \u201cWe have not spoken to anybody else \u2013 only Luis Enrique.\u201d<\/p>\n
Enrique has been out of the game since stepping down at the Nou Camp a year ago. His previous coaching experience includes spells at Roma and Celta Vigo while as a player he won 62 caps for Spain and featured at three World Cups. He also won Olympic gold in 1992.<\/p>\n
A formal unveiling is likely to take place next week.<\/p>\n
Rubiales said: \u201cWe know that Luis Enrique is a person of character. We want the internal environment to be the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
The news of Enrique\u2019s appointment comes swiftly after that of Jose Francisco Molina as the federation\u2019s new sporting director.<\/p>\n
Hierro had decided not to return to the post following the World Cup. Spain were eliminated at the last-16 stage on penalties by host nation Russia.<\/p>\n
Molina, 47, a former goalkeeper with Atl\u00e9tico Madrid, Deportivo La Coruna and Villarreal, earned nine Spain caps as a player.<\/p>\n
Rubiales has also confirmed the Spanish Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla will be a one-off game on August 12. Tangier, Morocco, is the preferred venue, subject to international approval.<\/p>\n