World Cup 2018: Fernando Hierro steps down from Spain role
#MTNshortz3sixtyworld
Fernando Hierro, who led Spain at the 2018 World Cup, has stepped down as coach and will not return to his former role as sporting director.
Hierro was placed in temporary charge of the team after Julen Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the tournament.
However, the 2010 world champions were knocked out on penalties by hosts Russia in the last 16.
Hierro, 50, has decided to “seek new horizons”, according to the Spanish football federation (RFEF).
A statement said the former Real Madrid player had “declined” to return to his previous role and has opted to “undertake new professional challenges”.
Lopetegui was sacked two days before their opening World Cup match with Portugal after he was named Real Madrid boss.
Lopetegui became Spain manager in 2016 following Vicente del Bosque’s retirement, and remained unbeaten through his reign.
In Russia, Spain topped Group B under Hierro. However, they conceded a late equaliser against Portugal and trailed Morocco 1-0 and 2-1 before scraping a draw in injury time.
After their surprise exit to Russia, Hierro said he accepted responsibility for the team’s failure to advance any further.
“We all tried to give it our best but that’s football,” he said.
“I don’t think you can talk about the team breaking down or collapsing. There’s a fine line between winning and losing.”
More Stories
USYK BEATS FURY TO BECOME UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, the first since...
BREAKING: ROBERTO DE ZERBI TO LEAVE BRIGHTON AFTER MANCHESTER UNITED MATCH
The Italian joined Albion in September 2022 after Graham Potter left for Chelsea and enjoyed immediate success, taking the club...
CHELSEA REACH VERBAL AGREEMENT TO SIGN PALMEIRAS’ ESTEVAO WILLIAN
Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign Brazilian teenager Estevao Willian from Palmeiras. The Premier League club will pay...
ELEGBELEYE SALUTES LEGENDARY GOALKEEPER, OKALA AT 73
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Board is celebrating Emmanuel Okala, one of the greatest goalkeepers to have graced the league...
FIFA HOLDS FIRST TRIALS OF VAR CHALLENGE SYSTEM
FIFA has held the first trials of a new system of VAR which allows coaches to challenge a referee's decision,...
ROBIN VAN PERSIE LANDS FIRST MANAGERIAL JOB
Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker, Robin van Persie has been appointed the new head coach of Heerenveen. This is...