Quique Sánchez Flores lined up for the Spain coaching job

With Spain's World Cup campaign over, the big question is who will now take the reins from Fernando Hierro as national team coach. Hierro, who took the post on a temporary basis after Julen Lopetegui was dismissed just before the tournament started, is expected to leave the job and said as much in his post-match comments after Spain bowed out in the penalty shoot-out. The search for a new coach has begun while Hierro may be offered the role of Director of Football.

Quique, the principal candidate

Topping the list of candidates for the coach's position is Quique Sánchez Flores. The Madrid-born coach has precisely the kind of profile which the RFEF is looking for - he has ample experience and the capability to make the kind of sweeping changes to a team in serious need of an overhaul needs. He is not bound by contract to any club which means he is immediately available to take the post.

Another candidate is Luis Enrique, who has an equally impressive curriculum and has said publicly that he would fancy coaching the national team at some point. He also is without a club. Michel also has all of the prerequisites which Luis Rubiales is looking for - as do Paco Jemez and Quique Setién.

Under other circumstances, Rafa Benítez, Unai Emery and Marcelino García Toral night have been considered but their committments  with Newcastle, Arsenal and Valencia, respectively rule them out of the running.

Another coach who is already in a job and doing well at the World Cup is Roberto Martínez. whose Belgium side have looked very strong in Russia. For now, there is no sense of urgency in finding a replacement for Hierro but the RFEF would prefer to have a new coach in the job well before the end of the summer and in time to prepare for September's meetings with England and Croatia.