Luis Enrique appointed Spain manager on two-year deal

Spain have announced that Luis Enrique has signed a two-year deal to take over as national team head coach.

The former Barcelona and Roma manager takes over from caretaker boss Fernando Hierro, who led the team during the World Cup in Russia.

Hierro stepped down as interim manager following Spain’s penalty shoot-out defeat to Russia, having taken over two days before the tournament began after Julen Lopetegui was sacked.

Luis Enrique enjoyed a glittering playing career with both Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as making 62 appearances for the national team.

The 40-year-old has been without a job since resigning as Barca manager last summer, having led them to back-to-back league titles in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

Luis Enrique’s appointment was announced by the Spanish Football Federation after a meeting of the board of directors on Monday, and he will be formally unveiled early next week.

“We need a successful coach, who’s modern and who knows the game style but can make small adjustments,” said SFF sporting director José Francisco Molina.

“We can’t swipe everything clean, with regards to all the work carried out.”

SFF president Luis Rubiales added: “The decision to appoint Luis Enrique was unanimous. We liked his commitment and he has turned down better paid jobs to coach the Spanish national team.”

His first game in charge will see La Selección take on England in the European Nations League at Wembley on September 8^th.