The Royal Spanish Baseball and Softball Federation (RFEBS) announced on Tuesday that Paco Figueroa is taking over as manager of the Spanish National Team for the European Championship in Hoofddorp, Netherlands. The 33-year-old is a former infielder who is currently working as hitting instructor with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. In the 2009 Baseball World Cup he was named Best Batter. With Spain he also participated in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Manny Crespo managed Spain during the Qualifier for the World Baseball Classic in Panama City in March, where the team got eliminated as first team. On the coaching staff Figueroa is going to be supported by bench coach Nestor Perez, pitching coach Renny Duarte, bullpen coach Manu Olivera, third base coach Candelario Diaz and first base coach Felix Cano.