Luis de la Fuente: Appreciation for Spanish Coaches Should Have Happened Ages Ago

Luis de la Fuente, the coach of Spain’s national football team, remarked that the appreciation for Spanish coaches should have arisen much earlier. De la Fuente, who has never played for Spain at the senior level, emphasized the accomplishments and structure of Spain’s coaching culture during an interview.

On June 7, 2026, as he settled into a small room at the Spanish football federation’s headquarters in Las Rozas, he expressed his excitement about leading the team to the World Cup. With his squad named, he anticipated the journey to Chattanooga, reflecting on the pride he felt in his role.

De la Fuente noted that not only players like Fabián Ruiz, David Raya, and Martín Zubimendi were in Budapest, where preparations were underway, but also former managers Luis Enrique and Mikel Arteta. He pointed out a significant week where many Spanish coaches achieved notable successes: Iñigo Pérez led Rayo Vallecano to a Conference League final, Unai Emery secured a Europa League title, and Pep Guardiola departed as a dominant figure in the Premier League.

He insisted that this surge in recognition wasn’t coincidental. De la Fuente acknowledged the longstanding groundwork laid by coaching schools and federations in Spain that had fostered talent and excellent coaching practices. He recalled the impact of his own students, including Lionel Scaloni, now the coach of Argentina. This shared history of success underlines the importance of teaching and sustained learning in coaching.

His reflection on being a teacher resonated with his earlier experiences coaching Spain’s youth teams, where he emphasized subjects such as the evolution of football and team building. He reminisced about the camaraderie and interactions with notable figures from his classes, which shaped his own coaching philosophy.

De la Fuente mentioned how he and Scaloni share parallel experiences through their coaching journeys, illustrating the demands they both faced in pursuing success and their roles in leading their respective national teams. He expressed disappointment over a missed opportunity to reunite with Scaloni during a planned match in Qatar that was postponed due to political circumstances.

The upcoming World Cup was a focal point for De la Fuente, who articulated a belief that football has the power to unite diverse groups. He hoped to reconnect with Scaloni at the tournament, reflecting on the journey that had taken both of them from coaching classrooms to becoming champions.

As one of the veteran figures in this new wave of coaching talent, De la Fuente acknowledged the role of previous mentors and the continuous learning that has defined his career. "In the end, sporting success is fleeting. But I remember my teachers ... it’s my job to shape people," he stated.