Fernando Hierro has been given the mandate to take charge of the Spanish national team for the World Cup in Russia, replacing Julen Lopetegui.
Following the announcement on Tuesday that Lopetegui would be taking over at Real Madrid, the Spanish FA moved swiftly to release him from his duties as their head coach.
Hierro will take over training today and on Friday will make his debut for Spain against Portugal in La Roja’s opening match in the tournament.
Hierro is the current director of football at the Spanish FA and was one of the names mentioned as a potential successor to Lopetegui.
He played against Nigeria at the France 1998 World Cup and while he scored one of the goals in that game, it was not enough to save the Spanish national team from going down to a 3-2 defeat.
The new Spain Coach was a teammate of Nigerian legend, Jay Jay Okocha, at English club, Bolton Wanderers, several years ago.
Hierro is an experienced leader, beloved within the Spanish federation and also the director during their “golden age” of one World Cup and two European Championships between 2008 and 2012.
Many believe that he has the personality to deal as best with the latest challenge thrown at him.
