Meet Spain's New Head Coach

The Royal Spanish Football Federation, has announced Julen Lopetegui, as the new head coach of the Spanish football national team.

The former Porto boss will now replace coach Vicente del Bosque, who won two back to back European Cup title in 2008 and 2012, as well as the 2010 FIFA world cup in South Africa.

"The Royal Spanish Football Federation has named Julen Lopetegui as new national manager,” the national team announced on its official website in a brief statement.

Lopetegui joined Porto Fc in 2014, and has been in charge of the Portuguese team until he was appointed by the Spanish FA.

The 49-years old was a goaltender during his active football days, and he also played for both Barcelona and Ream Madrid, among other Spanish clubs.

He also played for the Spanish Under 21 team, appearing and the national team, appearing once each for both sides before embarking on his coaching sojourn, which he began in 2003, as an assistant coach of the Spanish U17 team.

Teams managed
2003         Spain U17 (assistant)
2003         Rayo Vallecano
2008–2009 Real Madrid B
2010–2013 Spain U19
2010–2013 Spain U20
2012–2014 Spain U21
2014–2016 Porto
2016–         Spain

Youth career
Real Sociedad

Senior career*
Years            Team         Apps† (Gls)†
1985–1988   Castilla         61         (0)
1988–1991   Real Madrid  1         (0)
1988–1989   Las Palmas (loan) 31 (0)
1991–1994   Logroñés      107         (0)
1994–1997   Barcelona 5         (0)
1997–2002  Rayo Vallecano 112 (0)

His first assignment will be to qualify his team for the 2018 FIFA world cup staging in Russia, with qualifiers scheduled to commence soon.