Spain head coach Luiz Henrique steps down after World Cup ouster

Spain head coach Luiz Henrique has resigned as manager of the Spanish national team following their World Cup exit at the last-16 stage.

The La Roja lost 3-0 in the shootouts to the Atlas Lions of Morocco who made history by qualifying for the quarterfinals FIFA World Cup for the first time.

The Spanish Football Federation in a statement on Thursday confirmed that the 52-year-old former Barcelona boss whose contract is due to expire at the end of the year would not continue as head coach of the national team.

The RFEF thanked Luiz Henrique for his services and expressed its desire to start a new project for the national team.

The statement partly read: "The RFEF would like to thank Luis Enrique and his entire coaching staff.

"The sports management of the RFEF has transferred to the president a report in which it is determined that a new project should start for the Spanish team, with the aim of continuing with the growth achieved in recent years thanks to the work carried out by Luis Enrique and his collaborators.

"The RFEF energetically wishes Luis and his team the best of luck in their future professional projects. The coach earns the love and admiration of his collaborators in the national team and of the entire federation, which will always be his home."

Luiz Enrique had been in charge of Spain since 2018.