<p>Spain sacked coach Luis Enrique on Thursday 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.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>They were strong favourites for their last-16 match against Morocco but crashed out on penalties after the game finished goalless following extra-time.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/enrique-set-spain-players-homework-of-1000-penalties-ahead-of-world-cup-1168737.html" target="_blank">Enrique set Spain players 'homework' of 1,000 penalties ahead of World Cup</a></strong></p>.<p>"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.</p>.<p>They said they wanted to thank Luis Enrique and his staff for their work, but had decided to start a "new project".</p>.<p>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 hotseat.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/morocco-dump-spain-out-on-penalties-to-reach-fifa-world-cup-quarters-for-first-time-1169407.html" target="_blank">Morocco dump Spain out on penalties to reach FIFA World Cup quarters for first time</a></strong></p>.<p>Luis Enrique had said he wanted to stay on as coach after the defeat to Morocco on Tuesday.</p>.<p>"I am very happy with the Spanish FA, the president and with (the sporting director)," he said.</p>.<p>"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."</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>Luis Enrique took over in 2018 after Spain's disappointing showing at the World Cup in Russia, and led La Roja to the semi-finals of Euro 2020, where they were also beaten on penalties, by Italy.</p>.<p>His time as Spain coach was characterised by a firm commitment to maintaining possession.</p>.<p>They attempted more than 1,000 passes against Morocco but ended up with nothing to show for it, forcing Yassine Bounou into only one save before the shootout.</p>.<p>"We dominated the game but we lacked a goal," lamented Luis Enrique. "We could have been more effective in the final third, but I am more than satisfied with what my players did.</p>.<p>"They represented perfectly what my idea of football is."</p>
<p>Spain sacked coach Luis Enrique on Thursday 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.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>They were strong favourites for their last-16 match against Morocco but crashed out on penalties after the game finished goalless following extra-time.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/enrique-set-spain-players-homework-of-1000-penalties-ahead-of-world-cup-1168737.html" target="_blank">Enrique set Spain players 'homework' of 1,000 penalties ahead of World Cup</a></strong></p>.<p>"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.</p>.<p>They said they wanted to thank Luis Enrique and his staff for their work, but had decided to start a "new project".</p>.<p>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 hotseat.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/morocco-dump-spain-out-on-penalties-to-reach-fifa-world-cup-quarters-for-first-time-1169407.html" target="_blank">Morocco dump Spain out on penalties to reach FIFA World Cup quarters for first time</a></strong></p>.<p>Luis Enrique had said he wanted to stay on as coach after the defeat to Morocco on Tuesday.</p>.<p>"I am very happy with the Spanish FA, the president and with (the sporting director)," he said.</p>.<p>"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."</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>Luis Enrique took over in 2018 after Spain's disappointing showing at the World Cup in Russia, and led La Roja to the semi-finals of Euro 2020, where they were also beaten on penalties, by Italy.</p>.<p>His time as Spain coach was characterised by a firm commitment to maintaining possession.</p>.<p>They attempted more than 1,000 passes against Morocco but ended up with nothing to show for it, forcing Yassine Bounou into only one save before the shootout.</p>.<p>"We dominated the game but we lacked a goal," lamented Luis Enrique. "We could have been more effective in the final third, but I am more than satisfied with what my players did.</p>.<p>"They represented perfectly what my idea of football is."</p>