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Fernando Hierro quits as Spain sporting director after World Cup exit

Fernando Hierro has quit his role as sporting director of the Spanish FA following the round-of-16 exit at the World Cup.

Hierro, 50, was sensationally appointed Spain coach on the eve of the tournament, after previous boss Julen Lopetegui was fired for agreeing to take the Real Madrid job. 

The Spanish FA said in a statement that Hierro had decided against returning to his old role and would instead seek a new challenge.

"[Hierro] rejected going back to his former position as the RFEF sporting director, to look for new horizons and face new professional challenges," the statement read. "After two stints as the federation sporting director, the first one between 2007 and 2011 -- which was the best era of the senior national team, when it won the European Championship under Luis Aragones as coach in 2008 and the 2010 World Cup with Vicente del Bosque -- and a second stint from November 2007 until now.

"The RFEF wants to thank Fernando Hierro for his compromise and sense of duty when taking the reigns of the national team under extraordinary circumstances, as well as performing all his duties.

"The federation wants to highlight the professional and personal values of an extraordinary athlete, and we wish him the best."

Spain only won one game at the World Cup, against Iran, and drew their other two group matches vs. Portugal and Morocco. After a 1-1 draw with Russia in the round of 16 they were eliminated 4-3 on penalties. 

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