Spain's women's national team appoints new coach for first time in 27 years

MADRID - Spain's national women's soccer team has a new coach for the first time in 27 years after Jorge Vilda was hired to replace Ignacio Quereda, who had been in charge since 1988.

Vilda, who was appointed Thursday, said he was ''very motivated and eager to begin working'' with the squad. Quereda led the team to its first World Cup this year, but Spain only managed one point from three group games in Canada in June and the players issued a statement calling for him to be replaced as soon as they returned home.

Vilda's first task will be to lead the team in the first phase qualifying for the 2017 European Championship starting in October. He said he hoped ''to hit the ground running.''