Spain Part Ways With Manager Luis Enrique After Shock Early Exit From The 2022 World Cup.

 Spain have parted ways with manager Luis Enrique following their disappointing World Cup campaign in Qatar. 

The Asturian coach has been dismissed as coach to bring an end to his project and defined style, based on young players, which has not been able to enjoy success so far at major tournaments. His possession-based game led to them being accused of playing "boring" football.

Spain received a huge upset as they crashed out of the tournament in the round-of-16 on Tuesday after failing to break down their resilient opponents Morocco over 120 minutes of a goalless football game, and eventually lost via penalties to the North African team.

Enrique claimed his side had practised 1,000 penalties before the tournament, but they failed to convert a single one as they missed out on the quarter-finals in Qatar.

Despite beginning their campaign with a huge statement in the opening round of fixtures with a 7-0 win over Costa Rica, and then drew 1-1 with Germany, they were on course to top the Group E.

They surprisingly lost their final group game to Japan 2-1 which nearly knocked them out at the group stage when Costa Rica took a shock lead in the other final group game before Germany hit back to win 4-2.

Unfortunately, Germany's win and finishing same points (4) as Spain couldn't see them through, with La Roja managing to progress as second from Group E behind leaders Japan, while Germany and Costa Rica got eliminated.

The Spanish football federation, the RFEF, said that a "new project" would begin soon.

"The RFEF would like to thank Luis Enrique and his entire coaching staff, and energetically wishes them 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." reads a statement released on Thursday.

Enrique, whose contract had been due to expire at the end of the year, admitted that he was to blame for the defeat against Morocco.

The 52-year-old, took over as Spain boss in July 2018 after the World Cup in Russia, but left the following June amid “personal issues”, then returned in November 2019. 

He qualified for the final four of the UEFA Nations League twice and reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020, also losing on penalties to eventual champions Italy.

The RFEF also announced an immediate replacement for Luis Enrique, with Spain Under-21s coach Luis de la Fuente been recommended for the role, but his appointment must be approved by the board, which meets on Monday before been officially presented in his new role as senior boss.

A separate statement reads: ''The RFEF has chosen Luis de la Fuente as the new absolute national coach. 

"The sports director, José Francisco Molina, has forwarded a report to the president, Luis Rubiales, in which he recommends the choice of the coach from La Rioja, until now the U-21 coach, to lead the new stage that begins after the World Cup in Qatar. 

"Once his appointment is ratified by the board of directors, Luis de la Fuente would be presented on Monday, December 12 at the Luis Aragonés room of the Ciudad del Fútbol.''

Spain's era of football domination between 2008 and 2012, during which they won two successive European Championships and their first World Cup seems to have ended, as they have not won a major trophy since being crowned Euro 2012 champions. And they have not progressed past the last 16 at the World Cup since their triumph in 2010.