Former Spain manager Luis Enrique expressed deep gratitude to the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the players, and the fans as he stepped away from the national team.
“I can only be grateful to those who have twice appointed me to this post,” he wrote. “I would like to thank the players who acted with exemplary conduct and stayed true to our ideas. I am sorry I couldn’t help you better.”
He added a note of appreciation for the supporters who stood by the squad, especially during the toughest moments. “For Luis de la Fuente to realize everything he aims for, the team needs support in all aspects,” Enrique stated.
Enrique guided the national team through two separate terms, first from 2018 to 2019 and then from 2019 to 2022. Under his leadership, Spain did not advance past the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Qatar, losing to Morocco in a dramatic penalty shootout after a goalless draw, marking Morocco’s first ever appearance in the quarterfinals.
In the group stage, the Spaniards finished second in the pool, behind Japan, but the campaign included a stunning 2-1 victory for Japan over Spain. The narrative of that World Cup edition highlighted the challenge of the knockout rounds and how strategic decisions and execution in key moments decided outcomes on the field.
Separately, former goalkeeper and coach Stanislav Cherchesov commented on the broader success of the Moroccan national team at the World Cup, noting the significance of their performance on the world stage. (Source: federation communications and match reports)