Luis Enrique, between his future and the World Cup tests

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Luis Enrique, head coach of Spain, gestures during the Spain training session before a friendly match at RCD Stadium on March 25, 2022 in Barcelona, ​​Spain.AFP7 03/25/2022 ONLY FOR USE IN SPAINAFP7 via Europa Press (Europa Press)

With the ticket to Qatar in his pocket and with two friendlies against third-tier teams in European football, Albania this Saturday and Iceland in A Coruña on Tuesday, the continuity or departure of Luis Enrique after the World Cup dominate the news of the team.

The pact between the coach, the president of the federation, Luis Rubiales, and the sports director, José Francisco Molina, not to make a decision until after the World Cup is over remains in force.

Both Rubiales and Molina, who are in favor of the coach continuing, accept the inconvenience of having to appoint a coach at the end of December, when the World Cup ends, if Luis Enrique does not continue.

Some leaders of the territorial ones question the coach more, due to their character and the indifference they feel on the part of the coach, than the president and the sports director.

In the Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas, there are employees who convey that the sensations that flood the environment suggest that Luis Enrique will not continue and would have already decided, something that he denied this Friday.

“I have not decided if I will continue or not after the World Cup.

I feel backed by the federation, which has signed me twice and once in the circumstances that we all know, "said the coach.

“I have the utmost affection and I feel confident.

But what is a contract worth if the objectives are not achieved in the World Cup?

Well you're welcome.

It will be seen after Qatar.

I will fulfill my contract and then we will see...”, continued the coach.

From his words, it can be inferred that a bad role in the World Cup would lead him not to continue.

“I am in glory in the federation, not renewing has been because of you, because if I then screw up in the World Cup like that, you don't have to ask me to be kicked out.

If it goes wrong I'll go by myself or the same or maybe I'll stay in case I want a bit of bachata”, joked the coach.

Although the agreement not to talk about his continuity until after the World Cup is solid, Molina is working on possible replacements.

The name that sounds the strongest as a hypothetical substitute for Luis Enrique is that of Marcelino, who is also in the orbit of Atlético in the event that Simeone does not continue.

The Athletic coach has not yet renewed and the move he makes could be enlightening about the future tenant of the national team's bench.

Without his future resolved, Luis Enrique emphasized the present, the appointments against Albania and against Iceland.

"Neither for me nor for the players they are friendlies, they are two important matches because they are preparation for the World Cup and what better way to see how we resolve situations against two rivals who close behind", concluded the coach.

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