Former world champions Spain announce new coach

– Lopetegui has been announced as a replacement for Vincente del Bosque

– The 49-year-old had previously spent time in charge of Spain’s youth teams

– del Bosque retired after Spain’s exit from Euro 2016

Former world champions Spain have confirmed the appointment of former FC Porto manager Julen Lopetegui as Vicente del Bosque’s successor.

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The 49-year-old had previously spent time in charge of Spain’s youth teams at a number of age levels, winning the European Under-19 Championship in 2012 and European Under-21 Championship in 2013.

Vicente del Bosque had resigned as the head coach after failing to inspire his side past the round of 16 in the just concluded Euro 2016 tournament having spent eight years in the role and won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 but saw his side crash out at the group stage of the 2014 World Cup.

A statement on the Spain national team’s official website read: “The RFEF has named the new national team coach as Julen Lopetegui. The coach will be presented today, Thursday July 21, at 18:30 [CEST] at Las Rozas.”

Lopetegui, who was linked with English Championship clubs Nottingham Forest and Wolves this summer, secured the role despite speculation that ex-Granada coach Joaquin Caparros was the favourite.

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Recall that Italy defeated Spain 2 – 0 at the Stade de France to knock out the two-time holders from Euro 2016 in the round of 16.

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