Fernando Hierro, who was Spain’s stand-in coach at the World Cup will leave the Spanish Football Federation after rejecting the chance to return as sporting director, his former role.

The RFEF said Hierro, who had a contract in force, has instead decided to “seek new horizons and undertake new professional challenges”.

The 50-year-old took charge of Spain in dramatic circumstances last month after Julen Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the World Cup after agreeing to become Real Madrid coach following the tournament.

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Under Hierro, La Roja finished top of Group B but were knocked out at the last-16 stage following a penalty shootout defeat to Russia.

The former Real Madrid defender was the Federation’s sporting director on two separate occasions, between 2007-11 – during which time the national team won the European Championships and World Cup – and then again from November 2017.

A RFEF statement said: “After travelling many kilometres together, the Spanish Football Federation and Fernando Hierro have put an end to their relationship once Spain’s participation at the World Cup in Russia finished.