Spain have named Luis Enrique as their new head coach. The former Barcelona chief has reportedly signed a two-year deal. Former Technical director Fernando Hierro had stepped in as head coach for the World Cup.
However, he resigned from his position over the weekend leaving La Roja in need of a need boss. Of course, this situation started with the sacking of boss Julen Lopetegui just two days before the World Cup, after he agreed to join Real Madrid.
A disappointing World Cup for Spain
In truth, Lopetegui leaving his role just days before the start of the competition was always going to distract everybody involved with Spain. Those who believed that Spain had enough quality and mental strength to see them through regardless were wrong.
La Roja somewhat underwhelmed in Russia, which resulted in exiting the competition at the last 16 stage on penalty kicks against the Russians. The last-16 game saw La Roja dominate possession, but do very little with it.
After the exit of Lopetegui, the disappointing campaign was not a significant surprise. Neither was the exit of the underqualified Hierro from his position.
Enrique the ideal choice
Luis Enrique is no doubt a highly talented coach, which he showed that managerial acumen with Barcelona. In Catalonia, he had to deal with big egos and extreme pressure.
He will have to do the same as the boss of La Roja. The pressure got to Enrique during his time with Barcelona. However, the Spain job is a very different pressure.
Yes, there is major pressure to succeed, but it is not on a daily basis. He can implement his ideas and systems without being under constant scrutiny. Enrique is familiar with a number of the players, while he also plays a style of football that is similar to that of the national team has played for some years.
A talented squad
While some countries head home from the World Cup looking at how to rebuild their squads, Spain already have a number of talented players just waiting to become regulars in the national team.
The likes of Isco, Marco Asensio, Saul, Álvaro Odriozola, Koke and even Dani Carvajal are all in their early to mid-twenties. They will form the nucleus of the team in the future.
They are just players that made the squad. Alvaro Morata, Inaki Williams, Suso, Rodri and Jesus Vallejo could also feature for Spain shortly. The Spanish are certainly not low on talented players.
No doubt, most Spanish football fans will be turning their attention to qualifying for Euro 2020, which begins in September. They will be looking forget World Cup 2018 as quickly as they can and look to the future.
With Enrique as head coach and a number of talented players coming through, I doubt that anybody in Spain will be worried about their current situation at the moment. The appointment of Enrique could be the start of another successful era in Spanish football. Who knows, they even make it beyond the last 16 in the next big international tournament!
Is Luis Enrique the right head coach for La Roja?