Former ATK coach Jose Molina announced as Spain’s sporting director, Enrique as coach

Former ATK coach José Francisco Molina was on Monday announced as the sporting director by the Royal Spanish Football Federation following Fernando Hierro’s decision to vacate the post on the aftermath of Spain’s humiliating defeat to hosts Russia at the 2018 World Cup.

The spanish goalkeeper who led ATK to their second Indian Super League title (ISL) in 2017 will succeed Hierro, who left the role on Sunday.

This is the best place to work,” said Molina after his appointment. “I’m very enthusiastic. A magnificent job has been done in the past. It’s true that in the last three tournaments we have not achieved the results we expected.

“Things have to change and a new chapter begins. We have to look to the future.”

Spain who topped Group B alongside Portugal, were knocked out by Russia via the penalty shootouts after the game had remained at 1-1 following 120 minutes of play.

The 47-year-old who represented Spain on nine occasions is the right man for the job said RFEF president Luis Rubiales, a former teammate of Molina at Levante.

“He is known, he has worked for the last 10 years as a manager. We consider him the ideal candidate.”

Luis Enrique announced national team coach

Meanwhile, Luis Enrique was appointed the coach of the Spanish national team.

The former Barcelona manager who led the club to two La Liga titles and a Champions Trophy victory went on a one-year sabbatical after his resignation.

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He will take over the reins from interim coach Hierro, who was brought in after the national football federation had sacked Julen Lopetegui just a day before Spain’s first match at the World Cup for negotiating a move to Real Madrid without informing the RFEF.

The decision was unanimous. I like his commitment and he has turned down better paid jobs in order to coach Spain. He’s a coach who completes all the requirements, the federation was looking for,” said Rubiales.

Enrique’s first game in charge will be a UEFA Nations League game away to England at the Wembley Stadium on September 8.