Luis Enrique left his role.<\/a><\/p>\n“They went with this guy [De La Fuente] who understood the style and the system,” added Balague.<\/p>\n
“It was a very risky decision – I don’t think anyone thought he would be so successful.”<\/p>\n
It appeared risky because De La Fuente took charge of Spain, who have won three of the past five men’s European Championships – (2008, 2012, 2024) – without having managed a big club.<\/p>\n
After retiring as a player in 1994, De La Fuente spent 15 years in different roles with a succession of different clubs, including managing in the lower Spanish leagues, youth roles and assistant coach positions – before he took charge of Spain’s youth teams.<\/p>\n
“De la Fuente knew most of these players from the academies and they are growing as a team,” former Spain midfielder Juan Mata told BBC Sport.<\/p>\n
“This is not only a team for the present, but also a team for the future.”<\/p>\n
Since being appointed senior boss after stints in charge of the under-19s, under-21s and at Olympic level, De La Fuente has implemented a culture of respect for their rivals, for the process and preaching patience and calmness.<\/p>\n
“Most of you are younger than me and you need to respect experience,” said the 65-year-old.<\/p>\n
“Once we finished the game, there were footballers who said, ‘coach, now what else is there to win as we have won everything in all the categories’. <\/p>\n
“We came to the conclusion that what remains is the next match in September because this team are relentless.”<\/p>\n
The success of the national teams and Spanish coaches has spilled over to club football. <\/p>\n
Despite Pep Guardiola’s decision to leave Manchester City after 10 trophy-packed years, at least a quarter of the managers who start the 2026-27 Premier League season are Spanish.<\/p>\n
Spain’s Nations League victory against England on Saturday meant they are now unbeaten in their last 39 matches in all competitions – the longest ever run by any European or South American team in history.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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