Luis Enrique is the perfect man to lead Spain into a new era of dominance

Luis Enrique took over as Spain manager following their disappointing World Cup exit. Here’s why he’s the right man for the job.

Spain find themselves in the middle of a self-made dilemma. Having reached their peak success playing a style of soccer that many have deemed dead, the team have found themselves at a crossroads.

Should they persist with the possession-based soccer that has brought them so many glories? Or should they revert back to the old days, when Spanish players lived and breathed La Furia Roja?

By choosing Luis “Lucho” Enrique as their new manager, they have answered the question.

Enrique was a fiery player on the pitch and is the subject of one of the most iconic images in world soccer, when he broke his nose playing against Italy at the 1994 World Cup. That Spanish side, which never quite lived up to their potential, were plagued by a sense of injustice, and Enrique was at the center of it.

Enrique was bold and aggressive as a player, and has shown to be the same as a manger.

He’s not afraid of making tough decisions (as both Lionel Messi and Francesco Totti found out).

He’s the right man to lead this next generation of Spanish talent into the future, a leader who has seen and done it all; his overall presence tends to command respect. Enrique is a hardworking, tactically astute manager who instills a strong sense of discipline in his players.

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Many in Spain see him as the right choice for manager, but there’s understandable apprehension as well.

As Amalio Moratalla writes for Marca:

"“I give all this introduction to say that I like Luis Enrique as a coach. He is a man who has won almost everything as a player and everything as coach of Barcelona. He is a committed, hardworking guy with a clear football approach and leadership.I have my reasonable doubts, however, about how his relationship with the media and the commercial, marketing and relations of the Federation will be. La Roja aren’t a club and this good relationship and being a good spokesperson are mandatory for the national coach. It isn’t a small attribute anymore. The coach should be cordial, serene, without tensions and very oriented to unity.”"

This is a valid concern.

At Roma, Enrique fell out badly with the fans and the club after leaving club legend Totti on the bench. At Barcelona, it wasn’t until midway through the season when things started to click. Enrique had made a decision to leave Messi on the bench against Sociedad, and Barcelona subsequently lost the match.

After crunch talks with the club’s main players, Barcelona went on a run that culminated in them winning the treble. His ideas needed time to time to fall into place.

The Spanish national team are structured like a club side. But the environment is entirely different. Enrique will face a different kind of stress compared to the intensity he experienced at Barcelona, and has to adapt for the long haul.

He’s the pinnacle of the revolution set forth by Luis Rubiales and Jose Francisco Molina (the recently appointed Sporting Director).

Graham Hunter describes this wonderfully in his article for ESPN:

"“What Luis Enrique represents today, as he’s appointed to effectively replace Julen Lopetegui rather than stand-in Fernando Hierro, is the wind of change. He is the gust of modernisation. But above all, he represents the continuing tornado that Luis Rubiales, former chief of the players’ union and now president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, has brought with him.”"

Luckily for Lucho, there is a wealth of talent at his disposal.

The first point of order will be persuading Gerard Pique to stay on until the Euros at least. Pique has made no secret of his intention to retire after the World Cup. However, after a disappointing campaign, a competitor like Pique will not want to leave on such a low.

Another major focus point for Enrique will be David Silva. It was criminal just how underused both him and Andres Iniesta were at the World Cup. Enrique would be wise to learn from his former Barcelona teammate, Pep Guardiola, and make Silva the team’s focal point.

Silva’s class and grace on the ball is second to none, and while Isco might eventually be his successor, Isco himself showed his arrogance and naivety in the World Cup by holding onto the ball to long. Spain need to bring back that quick, penetrating passing style that many have misunderstood to be tiki-taka. Silva will should be at the center of it. Enrique can get the best out of an aging Silva the same way he did with Xavi.

Finally and most importantly, Enrique needs to groom the next generation of players well. It’s no secret that Spain’s biggest mistake this World Cup was a lack of ideas that resulted in a boring conservative style of play. Julen Lopetegui had put in motion a process that was getting the best out of the team’s younger players. In Isco, Koke, Saul Niguez, Thiago Alcantara and Rodri, Spain have talented, ready-made replacements for the likes of Silva, Sergio Busquets, Iniesta, Xabi Alonso and Xavi.

At Barcelona, Enrique showed that he believed in youth. He must do the same for Spain. The Euros will present the perfect opportunity for Spain to give one last send off to the seasoned professionals — Pique, Sergio Ramos, Busquets — and introduce this youthful, vibrant team.

Enrique has his chance to coach the national side and has already begun putting things in motion that will allow him to bring the best out of this squad.

Spain have had a tumultuous month to say the least. As the pain and tension from yet another World Cup disappointment begins to fade away, the shadowy figure of Enrique brings with him a bright light that has been sorely needed. Spain may have suffered terribly, but they have a great many things to look forward to.