Spain sack Luis Enrique after World Cup flop

MADRID - Spain sacked coach Luis Enrique after the 2010 champions were dumped out of the World Cup by Morocco at the last-16 stage, quickly naming his replacement as under-21s boss Luis de la Fuente.

Spain started their campaign in Qatar in style by hammering Costa Rica 7-0 and qualified for the knockout phase despite a shock 2-1 defeat to Japan.

They were strong favourites for their last-16 match against Morocco but crashed out on penalties after the game finished goalless following extra time.

"Both the president, Luis Rubiales, and the sporting director, Jose Francisco Molina, have told the coach their decision," the RFEF (football association) said in a statement.

They said they wanted to thank Luis Enrique and his staff for their work, but had decided to start a "new project".

Shortly afterwards, the federation announced that De la Fuentes, who led Spain's men's team to the silver medal at last year's Olympics, was the new man in the hot seat.

Luis Enrique had said he wanted to stay on as coach after the defeat to Morocco on Tuesday.

"I am very happy with the Spanish FA, the president and with (the sporting director)," he said.

"If it was up to me I would stay all my life, but that is not the case. I have to think calmly what is the best for me and for the national team."

Spain last lifted a major trophy a decade ago at Euro 2012, while they have not won a single knockout game at the Word Cup since triumphing in South Africa in 2010.