Julen Lopetegui. File photo: ReutersValencia: Julen Lopetegui is the new manager of Spain, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said on Thursday.
The 49-year-old former goalkeeper and Porto manager succeeds Vicente del Bosque, who retired after Euro 2016.
The RFEF said in a statement: "The Spanish Football Federation have appointed Julen Lopetegui as the new national coach."
Del Bosque, who took over after Euro 2008, led his country to their first World Cup title in 2010 and followed that triumph by clinching Spain's second successive European Championship two years' later.
Lopetegui, a former Spain goalkeeper, is a familiar face at the RFEF after guiding the country's U-19, U-20 and U-21 teams.
He led Spain to the title at the 2012 European U-19 Championship in Estonia and the following year, steered them to the U-21 European Championship crown in Nyon, Switzerland.
Lopetegui, who was sacked by FC Porto in January, had been linked with English (tier-two) Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
(With agency inputs)
