New Spain soccer coach Julen Lopetegui plots evolution, not revolution

New coach Julen Lopetegui wants Spain to go through an “evolution” not a “revolution” as he tries to bring the good times back to the former world soccer champions.

The 49-year-old was put in charge on Thursday, signing a two-year contract, and will lead the team as they attempt to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

“This appointment fills me with pride and is a huge responsibility I happily take,” Lopetegui told a news conference.

“We are not going to throw away the many wonderful things this national team has given us. We are very proud of the past but we are looking at the present and the future.

“We are not going to do a revolution but an evolution based on our ideas,” added Lopetegui. “There are players in the squad that are in their prime, many of them...we are going to bring back the enthusiasm to the people.”

Lopetegui praised predecessor Vicente del Bosque who coached Spain for eight years before stepping down after Euro 2016.

Spain were knocked out in the first round of the World Cup in Brazil two years ago and lost to Italy in the last 16 of Euro 2016.