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Spanish FA reveal reasons behind Luis Enrique exit
Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish FA (RFEF), has emphasized that Luis Enrique’s dismissal as manager was not because of his Twitch streams, but rather the necessity for a “new initiative.”
Following Spain’s elimination from the World Cup in the round of 16 by Morocco, the RFEF decided not to renew his contract and chose Under-21 head coach Luis de la Fuente to take his position.
Due to his decision to broadcast every day on the live video streaming website Twitch, which is especially well-liked among gamers, Enrique attracted more media attention while at the World Cup. Throughout the competition, he also frequently posted on Instagram.
Given Spain’s subsequent performance in the competition, Enrique’s choice to stream during the World Cup was not universally well-received, even though some fans undoubtedly liked the rare glimpse inside elite-level management.
Rubiales, however, has emphasized that this was unrelated to his decision to leave the national system.
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“I’ve read a lot of stories, that [it] was his Twitch, that it was his bicycle [rides], things like that,” he said.
“But there was nothing like that. The three of us, the outgoing sporting director [Jose Molina], the new sporting director [Albert Luque] and I, we agreed we should start a new project, led by Luis de la Fuente. There’s nothing else.”
Enrique has been in control of Spain since 2018, however, he took a hiatus for personal reasons in 2019. After that, he guided Spain to the Euro 2020 semifinals. In a penalty shootout, they lost to eventual champions Italy.
He received both praise and criticism for La Roja’s possession-heavy style of play, but ultimately Spain was unable to advance past the round of 16 during his time in charge.
“The relationship with Luis Enrique is magnificent. We’re very grateful to him,” Rubiales said of Enrique.
“There were different conversations. We always said we’d talk after the World Cup. He didn’t tell me that he wanted to carry on. The conversation went along other lines, that a project was ending and another was beginning.”