Hierro calls time on Spanish role

SPAIN’s interim coach Fernando Hierro has cut his ties with the Spanish Football Federation following the team’s exit from the World Cup.

“After many kilometres travelled together, the Spanish Football Federation and Fernando Hierro have called an end to their relationship,” the organisation said in a statement.

“The last Spain coach has declined to return to his old job as sporting director of the Federation in order to look for new professional challenges.”

Hierro was named sporting director for the second time in 2017, but was catapulted into the role of national team coach the day before the World Cup began when Julen Lopetegui was sacked after agreeing to join Real Madrid.

Under the former Madrid defender, who had just one season’s experience as a coach with Real Oviedo, Spain had a 1-0 victory over Iran in Group B, and drew 3-3 with Portugal and 2-2 with Morocco.

They finished top of Group B but suffered a shock elimination by hosts Russia in the last 16 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.