July 15 – Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente says he always believed in his Euro 2024 title-winning side even if others didn’t.
De la Fuente replaced Luis Enrique after Spain crashed out of the 2022 World Cup in the last 16 but many doubted whether the 63-year-old had the experience or quality to help La Roja end a 12-year trophy drought.
After a humiliating Euros qualifying defeat by Scotland in March 2023 in his second match in charge, some Spanish media even suggested the coach, who had worked with Spain’s youth sides, could even be on the brink of the sack already.
However, Spain recovered well and have not lost a competitive match since, culminating in Euro 2024 beating prior holders Italy, hosts Germany, pre-tournament favourites France and then England to capture a record fourth Euros triumph.
“I was sure that my players believed in me… for a year and a half they have been infallible,” De la Fuente told reporters. “The only thing that I was worried about was that the players were convinced by what we said.”
Spain’s victory was all the sweeter given the off-the-field shenanigans over the ‘kissgate’ scandal involving disgraced former Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales.
“Now it’s all happiness, pride and enjoying this moment that we have earned – nobody gave us anything for free,” said de la Fuente. “It’s been work, work, work. We shouldn’t just value the final result but the whole process.”
De la Fuente knew which players he trusted having spent years with them in Spain’s youth teams.
“We have pace on the wings, control and possession in the middle, and a very solid defence, very secure – that has given us a lot of balance in all aspects of the game.”
“We were not favourites. I just wanted my players to be a position to compete. I hope young people can see these players are not spoiled brats but work really hard and set a good example. This group can keep growing and improving because they don’t get tired of it, of competing, of trying to win, of making you proud of them, from the first day until the last, now. They make my work so much easier.”
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