Former Spain head coach Luis Enrique has said that he 'gets a positive reading from the World Cup' despite the national side being eliminated in the last-16 stage of the competition.
La Roja started their Group E campaign with a 7-0 victory over Costa Rica before drawing with Germany and losing to Japan in their next two matches, with four points proving enough to qualify for the next round.
Spain were the favourites heading into their last-16 affair with Morocco but were beaten on penalties by the African side following a goalless draw.
Morocco have since beaten Portugal to make the semi-finals, where they will take on France, while the first semi-final sees Argentina face 2018 finalists Croatia.
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Enrique left his role with La Roja following the World Cup exit, with Luis de la Fuente being confirmed as his replacement.
Despite the disappointment of the last-16 exit, the 52-year-old has taken the positives from the campaign, claiming that he is "calm" and "satisfied" with what he achieved during his time at the helm.
"The bad thing about these competitions is that in 90 or 120 you can go to hell," he said in on Ibai Llanos's Twitch stream.
"We didn't have a good game against Morocco, but I get a positive reading from the World Cup and four years in the national team.
"I'm calm, I'm satisfied, I think we've managed to generate excitement, give players confidence, it's reassuring the fact that there were boys and girls in the hotels to see the players. As a coach, my job is to make decisions and I've done it.
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"We have been preparing very good players for four years and I feel that we have lost a very good opportunity and I feel very bad. From the first day I tried to convince the players that we had a chance.
"I thought we were very good except for a few minutes against Japan when we were overwhelmed and then the difficulties came against Morocco."
Enrique has also revealed that he is looking to return to club management for the 2023-24 campaign.
"I want to coach, I see myself wanting to take on a club and be able to develop with greater finesse and precision what I have not been able to do in the national side," he added.
"I will probably wait for next season. This morning, I was told I've been signed up for a mountain bike race that I'm going to do with my brother."
Enrique has been in charge of Roma, Celta Vigo and Barcelona during his club management career, enjoying huge success with the latter between 2014 and 2017, winning two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies and the Champions League.
Matt Law
