When Spain appointed Luis de la Fuente as head coach of the lads’s staff in December 2022, few anticipated him to ship the Nations League (2023), European Championship (2024) and World Cup (2026) in so brief a time-frame.
Spain had simply been knocked out of the World Cup by Morocco within the final 16 in Qatar and the federation wanted a substitute after Luis Enrique left his role.
“They went with this man [De La Fuente] who understood the fashion and the system,” added Balague.
“It was a really dangerous choice – I do not assume anybody thought he can be so profitable.”
It appeared dangerous as a result of De La Fuente took cost of Spain, who’ve received three of the previous 5 males’s European Championships – (2008, 2012, 2024) – with out having managed an enormous membership.
After retiring as a participant in 1994, De La Fuente spent 15 years in numerous roles with a succession of various golf equipment, together with managing within the decrease Spanish leagues, youth roles and assistant coach positions – earlier than he took cost of Spain’s youth groups.
“De la Fuente knew most of those gamers from the academies and they’re rising as a staff,” former Spain midfielder Juan Mata advised BBC Sport.
“This isn’t solely a staff for the current, but additionally a staff for the longer term.”
Since being appointed senior boss after stints in control of the under-19s, under-21s and at Olympic stage, De La Fuente has applied a tradition of respect for his or her rivals, for the method and preaching persistence and quietness.
“Most of you’re youthful than me and you’ll want to respect expertise,” mentioned the 65-year-old.
“As soon as we completed the sport, there have been footballers who mentioned, ‘coach, now what else is there to win as we’ve received every little thing in all of the classes’.
“We got here to the conclusion that what stays is the following match in September as a result of this staff are relentless.”
The success of the nationwide groups and Spanish coaches has spilled over to membership soccer.
Regardless of Pep Guardiola’s choice to depart Manchester Metropolis after 10 trophy-packed years, not less than 1 / 4 of the managers who begin the 2026-27 Premier League season are Spanish.
Spain’s Nations League victory in opposition to England on Saturday meant they’re now unbeaten of their final 39 matches in all competitions – the longest ever run by any European or South American staff in historical past.
