Spain's national team coach, Luis de la Fuente, has renewed his contract with the Spanish football federation (RFEF) until 2032. De la Fuente, 65, has led Spain to significant victories, including their second World Cup title, Euro 2024, and a UEFA Nations League title. He took over from Luis Enrique four years ago and has won 38 of 50 matches in charge. De la Fuente spent a decade working with Spain's youth teams before stepping up to the senior role in 2022.
De la Fuente's extension was announced at an event at the RFEF headquarters near Madrid. He expressed his excitement about the future, stating that "the best is yet to come" for the national team. The coach has a history of success, having led Spain's Under-17s and Under-21s to European titles and guiding the country to a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. RFEF president Rafael Louzan praised De la Fuente, calling him the most successful head coach in the history of the national team.
Louzan explained that the decision to extend De la Fuente's contract by two years beyond the 2030 World Cup, which Spain will co-host with Portugal and Morocco, was a show of stability and confidence. He hopes that De la Fuente can continue beyond 2032, but for now, the offer is a long-term commitment to the coach and his staff. The contract extension is seen as a significant move, especially considering De la Fuente's achievements and the respect he has earned.
While the details of the new contract have not been disclosed, local media reports suggest that De la Fuente has secured a significant pay rise. The coach has already set his sights on future competitions, including the 2030 World Cup and Euro 2032. He emphasized his competitiveness and commitment to giving his all to achieve more success with the national team.
Spain's next major target is the 2028 European championships, where they aim to emulate their previous successes. Under De la Fuente, Spain has reached the final of every competition played, narrowly missing out on defending their Nations League crown last year. The team will play several upcoming matches, including a game against England on September 26 and a Nations League campaign against Croatia.
De la Fuente's achievements have drawn comparisons to great coaches like Vicente del Bosque. Louzan believes that extending De la Fuente's contract is the right decision, given his decorated history with the national team. The coach's long-term commitment to the RFEF is seen as a positive step for Spanish football.
As De la Fuente looks to the future, he is focused on making the most of the team's potential. With a renewed contract and a clear vision, Spain aims to build on their recent successes and make a strong impact in upcoming competitions. The team's upcoming matches will be crucial in shaping their journey towards the 2028 European championships and beyond.
Key points
- Luis de la Fuente has extended his contract as Spain's national team coach until 2032.
- De la Fuente has led Spain to significant victories, including their second World Cup title and Euro 2024.
- The coach aims to achieve more success with the national team, targeting competitions like the 2030 World Cup and Euro 2032.
