Spanish FA (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales has mentioned Spain wanted a “new undertaking” after their elimination from the World Cup round-of-16, denying that points with supervisor Luis Enrique — or his streaming on Twitch — led to his alternative by Luis de la Fuente.
Former Beneath-21 coach De la Fuente, 61, was introduced as Spain’s new supervisor in Madrid on Monday after his appointment was authorised by the RFEF’s board.
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The federation introduced final week that Luis Enrique wouldn’t be provided a brand new contract answerable for the nationwide workforce after a disappointing finish to the World Cup by which they have been crushed on penalties by Morocco.
The previous Barcelona boss attracted consideration throughout the match for broadcasting nearly day by day on the stay video streaming website Twitch and posting recurrently on Instagram.
“I’ve learn plenty of tales, that [it] was his Twitch, that it was his bicycle [rides], issues like that,” Rubiales mentioned.
“However there was nothing like that. The three of us, the outgoing sporting director [Jose Molina], the brand new sporting director [Albert Luque] and I, we agreed we must always begin a brand new undertaking, led by Luis de la Fuente. There’s nothing else.
– Marsden and Kirkland: Luis Enrique’s phrases of knowledge on Twitch
“The connection with Luis Enrique is magnificent. We’re very grateful to him. There have been completely different conversations. We at all times mentioned we might discuss after the World Cup … He did not inform me that he needed to hold on. The dialog went alongside different traces, {that a} undertaking was ending and one other was starting.”
Luis Enrique had been answerable for the nationwide workforce since 2018 — with a break in 2019 following the dying of his daughter — reaching the semifinals of the delayed 2020 European Championship and ending as runners-up within the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League.
De la Fuente had been answerable for Spain’s Beneath-21s since 2018 and beforehand labored with the Beneath-19s, successful the Beneath-21 Euros in 2019 and a silver medal finally yr’s Tokyo Olympics.
“I used to be a participant for 15 years, 13 years within the first division,” De la Fuente mentioned on Monday, when requested if he lacked the mandatory top-level expertise for the job.
“I received trophies, I used to be a world at youth degree. I have been with the RFEF for 10 years … I’ve labored with 16 of the gamers who have been on the World Cup. If anybody is aware of the current and way forward for Spanish soccer, it is me.”
Spain’s possession-based model has confronted criticism for its supposed lack of leading edge, with La Roja having been taken to further time of their final 5 knockout video games at main tournaments.
“One factor is non-negotiable: our thought, our mannequin,” De la Fuente mentioned. “However the system adapts. I am going to attempt to incorporate ideas and nuances to enhance. We aren’t closed off to something, we’re open to altering when crucial.”
De la Fuente additionally refused to rule out a return to the worldwide set-up for Sergio Ramos — saying “each participant who’s in the proper situation is obtainable for choice” — and referred to as Spain captain Sergio Busquets, 34, “residing soccer historical past.”
“[Busquets] has loads to supply,” he mentioned. “I will be delighted if he desires to hold on.”