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Spanish national team name Julen Lopetegui as new manager

Italy v Spain - UEFA European U21 Championships: Final

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - JUNE 18: Head coach Julen Lopetegui of Spain walks over the pitch after winning the UEFA European U21 Championship final match against Italy at Teddy Stadium on June 18, 2013 in Jerusalem, Israel. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

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The Spanish national team have appointed Julen Lopetegui as their new manager.

Vicente del Bosque left his post as Spain’s coach following their exit at the Round of 16 stage to Italy at EURO 2016.

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Del Bosque delivered a World Cup success in 2010 plus won EURO 2012 before a group stage exit at the 2014 World Cup and a disappointing display in France this summer.

Lopetegui, 49, managed FC Porto for the past two seasons but was fired by the Portuguese giants in January.

The Spanish coach was involved with the Spanish national team setup from 2010-14 as the coach of Spain’s U-19, U-20 and U-21 teams. The former goalkeeper made one appearance for the Spanish national team in 1994 and his playing career saw him make one appearance for Real Madrid, while also playing for Las Palmas, Rayo Vallecano, Logrones, Barcelona and Castilla.

Lopetegui led the Spanish U-19 side to the European Championship title in 2012, while he also won the U-21 European Championship in 2013.

He will be tasked with bringing through the next generation of Spanish stars after two failures in their last two major tournaments.

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