World Cup 2018: Fernando Hierro quits role at Spanish FA after Spain crash out of Round of 16

Hierro stepped up to coach Spain on the eve of the tournament after Julen Lopetegui was sacked

Fernando Hierro has quit his role as the director of the Spanish FA after the failure of the national team at the World Cup 2018.

The former captain was handed the role as head coach of Spain on the eve of the tournament in Russia after the shock sacking of now Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui.

Spain struggled through the group stage before crashing out on penalties to the hosts Russia as they became one of the many shock exits from the competition.

Hierro had been due to revert back to his role as sporting director after the tournament but has now left the set up entirely, the Spanish FA said in a statement.

“After many kilometres of walking together, the Royal Spanish Football Federation and Fernando Hierro put an end to their relationship once the participation of Spain in the World Cup in Russia ended,” the statement read. “The last Spanish coach declined to return to his previous position as sports director of the RFEF to seek new horizons and undertake new professional challenges.

“After two stages as sports director of the Federation, the first between 2007 and 2011 – coinciding with the best stage of the National Soccer Team, which won the 2008 European Championship with Luis Aragonés as coach and the 2010 World Cup with Vicente del Bosque- and the second from November 2017 until now, the RFEF wants to thank Fernando Hierro for his commitment and sense of responsibility when he takes the lead in the national team in extraordinary situations as well as in the performance of all his duties, which will always be his home.

“The Federation wants to highlight the professional and human values ​​of an extraordinary athlete. Thanks for everything, Fernando!”