MADRID: Spain manager Luis Enrique took only two days, not the week he had suggested, to decide that he wanted out after the surprise shootout defeat by Morocco in the World Cup’s Round of 16.

Luis Enrique, 52, charge in 2018 and guided Spain to the Euro 2020 semi-finals, where they lost to Italy.

The Spanish football federation said: “We would like to thank Luis Enrique and his entire coaching staff.” The under-21 coach, Luis de la Fuente, is favourite to be promoted when the RFEF board meets at the start of next week.

Spain thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 in their opening group match in Qatar, but their possession-based game led to them being accused of playing “boring” football as they drew 1-1 with Germany and lost 2-1 to Japan.

They were then knocked out of the tournament on penalties by Morocco, after a goalless 120 minutes.

Critics back home accused Luis Enrique of drilling his team to play “old-fashioned football” in a style which won the World Cup in 2010 and two European titles but was now outmoded.

Luis Enrique’s most successful period as manager at club level came with Barcelona. Between 2014 and 2017 he won the Champions League and guided them to two La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup and Spanish Super Cup.

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