[Archive 2018-07-12] Spanish Football Federation appoints Luis Enrique as men's national team coach

Historical archive — originally published 2018-07-12. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

On Monday, the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (Royal Spanish Football Federation; RFEF) announced Luis Enrique as the new coach of the Spanish men's national football team. Per the contract, Enrique is to serve as the coach for two years.

Previously, Enrique has managed Italian capital-club AS Roma as well as Spanish LaLiga clubs Celta Vigo and FC Barcelona. Enrique took the managerial role at Barcelona in 2014, and in his first season at the Catalan-club, he won the treble, winning LaLiga, Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.

During his tenure at the Camp Nou, Enrique won three Copa del Rey, two LaLiga, and one each of the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup and the Supercopa de España. After winning nine trophies with Barcelona, he left the club in 2017 and hasn't taken any managerial role until now. After the treble winning season, Enrique was awarded the FIFA World Coach of the Year award in January 2016.

Enrique succeeds Fernando Hierro, who served as an interim coach for Spain during this year's FIFA World Cup. Previous full-time coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked by RFEF after he signed a contract with Real Madrid as the club's new manager. Hierro was also the Spanish sporting director until Monday. Prior to the announcement of Enrique's appointment, José Francisco Molina was appointed as the new RFEF sporting director.

Enrique's first game as Spain's coach is scheduled to be against England on September 8 at Wembley Stadium in the new UEFA Nations League.

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