Luis Enrique has been relieved of his duties as the Spanish national team coach following a shocking exit from the Qatar World Cup 2022 after losing to Morocco on penalties 3-0 on Tuesday.
Spain has parted company with manager Luis Enrique after a shocking exit from the Qatar World Cup 2022 earlier this week. La Roja began with a dominant 7-0 victory over Costa Rica but lost on penalties to Morocco in the last 16 to be eliminated. As of right now, Luis Enrique has stepped down as coach after three years and will be replaced by Luis de la Fuente.
🔴 OFICIAL | La agradece a su trabajo al frente de la
🔗 https://t.co/6Cib6cpJ1l pic.twitter.com/wkAIMu2utd
"The RFEF would like to thank Luis Enrique and his entire coaching staff at the helm of the absolute national team in recent years," read a statement.
"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, with the aim of continuing with the growth achieved in recent years thanks to the work carried out by Luis Enrique and their collaborators. Both the president, Luis Rubiales, and the sports director, José Francisco Molina, have transmitted the decision to the coach," the statement added.
"The Asturian coach managed to give a new impetus to the national team since his arrival, in 2018, through a profound renovation that has consolidated a generational change in the team and in Spanish football. Luis Enrique qualified for two Final Four of the UEFA Nations League, of the three he played as coach; and he reached the semifinals of Euro 2020 with his own stamp and through a defined style. He opted for young talent and has sown hope for the future of the Spanish team," the statement noted.
"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," the statement concluded.
RFEF have moved quickly to appoint former U21 coach De la Fuente as Luis Enrique’s successor. The 61-year-old has been associated with the RFEF since 2013. In 2015, he won the U19 European Championship, and in 2019, the U21s repeated the achievement. At the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020, he also led Spain to a silver medal.
De la Fuenta has actually before coached the senior team, filling in for Luis Enrique during a friendly match against Lithuania prior to Euro 2020 when the team and coaching staff were severely impacted by Covid-19. However, his first official game in charge will take place in March when Spain faces Norway in the first round of the Euro 2024 qualifying tournament.
Several football fans took to Twitter to react to the news of Luis Enrique parting ways with the Spanish national team, with reports suggesting the former Barcelona and Real Madrid star is preparing to return to club football
Official. Luis Enrique leaves Spanish national team, statement confirms. 🚨🇪🇸
It’s over after internal meeting — as Luis Enrique is prepared to return to club football. pic.twitter.com/5oZ5PMrSTf
Some enthusiasts remarked that it was time for Luis Enrique to take charge of a big European team. Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Juventus, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, etc., were some clubs fans would love to see as his potential next destination.
Meanwhile, haters took this opportunity to troll him with memes and jokes, particularly in connection with those linking him to dropping veteran goalkeeper David de Gea and defender Sergio Ramos from the World Cup 2022 squad.
Here's a look at some of the memes and other reactions on Twitter:
Sergio Ramos and degea right now; https://t.co/FqW5anlyZi pic.twitter.com/88naA6Odwu
— 🏀KØBË WĘŠT☄️ (@kobeewest)David De Gea now https://t.co/w1QCHvn7cR pic.twitter.com/hJNyhEmVa1
— Kojo Darko🇬🇭🇧🇷 (@kojodarkoo)Time for this man to take over https://t.co/rL0FvsG6Q3 pic.twitter.com/MACZqdtFlo
— Ahilaan Annandan Nair (@_Ahilaan_)Todd Boehly Make It Happen https://t.co/GZqCsanJCy
— Juma (@juma_malenga)Whoever he manages next will be incredibly lucky https://t.co/lCfJLmrRRU
— Stuart Kirk (@stuartakirk)Probably next spurs manager? https://t.co/hc98S8oCkg
— NM95 (@NishKnight)Luis Enrique the doors are open for you in Turin!!!! https://t.co/b5T6VybBAD
— Daniel ❼ (@YourBoyDaniel10)“prepared to return to club football” https://t.co/d7vVWqYXqT pic.twitter.com/qWkQ6nLy2A
— ßRoseJMK🌹🇧🇷 (@bluerosejmk)Lord Da Gea right now: https://t.co/12aokbiQ0u pic.twitter.com/rP4zWRPPUV
— uSiya® (@usiyamcneo)did he step down or was he stepped down ? https://t.co/UIUGTEGUAc pic.twitter.com/gRVQuIWdjm
— Davidinho 🇧🇷 (@i_am_karchies)We won!!! Unai’s daddy is gone!! https://t.co/eem5WcozKW pic.twitter.com/QCx2cxc3By
— NIMI (@Nimiofficial)FABIAN RUIZ can actually get call up now 😭pic.twitter.com/tdyuiocW31 https://t.co/2K7dP5MiBK
— FLYINGDUTCHMAN✈ (@januzajstan)Don't miss the chance, idiots https://t.co/JkLjYzqL5f pic.twitter.com/j6Pq73nHx7
— D (@mdariiih)Luis Enrique gone. A real shame. The whole of Spain, especially the media, is probably not too mad tho.
I would love seeing him take over a big, ambitious club. For example I think he would be a super interesting fit for Atlético Madrid, who IMO need fresh blood in the dugout. https://t.co/xLWlprZO0J
VAAAAAMAOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/2uz2fOV1hd https://t.co/1pYmhIRjVF
— Rafa 🇪🇸🇳🇬 (@Pato1907_)Cloooooowwwwwwwnnnnnnnn https://t.co/txNdK0wACK pic.twitter.com/JRPkG1ZYrC
— Fatima (@Faattimma8)I'm glad this has happened because Luis Enrique needs club football and club football needs Luis Enrique. One of the best managers around and someone who deserves to impart his education to younger players. https://t.co/h1W2zcGewK
— Kaustubh Pandey (@Kaus_Pandey17)Club football is waiting! 🙌🏻💪🏻🔥 pic.twitter.com/yWZIldz3vW
— Farah 🧘🏻♀️ (@itsfarah92)