Spanish FA have hired Luis Enrique to be the new coach of the national team following their World Cup exit.
Luis Enrique, who had 62 appearances as a player for Spain, rejected offers from Europe’s big clubs including PSG, Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern Munich to become their 54th national team boss. “I’ve had interest from some clubs, but it has to be something that really excites me,” Luis Enrique said of his prospects earlier this year in an interview.
The former Barcelona manager replaces Fernando Hierro, who stood in as coach at the 2018 World Cup after Julen Lopetegui was sacked for taking the Real Madrid job in June. Under Hierro, who had little previous coaching experience, 2010 winners Spain lost on penalties to host nation Russia in the last 16.
Enrique who left Barcelona in the summer of 2017 and took a year off, is one of the few coaches in the World with boldness to rest Lionel Messi even during important games. The 48-year-old won three Copa del Reys, two La Liga titles, one Champions League, one Supercopa de Espana, one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup as Barcelona manager. Luis Enrique was part of the FIFA 100, a list of the best players of the century which was compiled by Pele in 2004.
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