“With all humility, if anyone knows Spanish football it’s this man”: the curious presentation of the new Spain manager

Spain’s new coach, Luis de la Fuente, has been officially unveiled as Luis Enrique’s successor after the World Cup elimination in Qatar and has said the Spanish football model is “non-negotiable” but will incorporate “nuances”. because the game “has evolved”.

“A new stage begins and all players will probably be selectable, the doors are all open. We have principles, an idea formed. There will be changes, but there is one thing that is not negotiable which is a model, I try to incorporate nuances by interpreting the evolution of football. We are not closed to anything” said De la Fuente, in his presentation at the headquarters of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), in Madrid.

Accompanied by the president of the RFEF, Luis Rubiales, the brand new DT declared himself “a defender of talent” although he stressed that he does not like “limiting the virtues of the footballer”, as published by the DPA agency.

“We will hear a lot about the word ‘team’. We have been fortunate to have an almost inexhaustible talent factory. I am very confident in the present and in the future of this team. The ultimate is being champions of everything, to reach the top,” he said.

For his part, Rubiales said he communicated last Thursday to the outgoing officer that they would start “a new project”, with terms “of affection, recognition and admiration for the work done”.

De la Fuente has distanced himself from Luis Enrique and his Twitch sessions and said his communication will be old-fashioned: “I don’t use social networks. Some fake accounts came out yesterday. Everything Spain, the public and the world need to know about me will be through the media. We don’t pay attention to that who can put me in the mouth on social networks”.

The doubts that have emerged from the press have to do with the inexperience of the DT in front of a weight team. His answer, however, was dry: “I’ve been a professional footballer for 15 years, thirteen in the first division. I was lucky enough to win titles, championships, cups, super cups. I was international in all categories, except the absolute one. I have been a player, coach and delegate of the first division and have been with the association for ten years,” he began.

But the words that bounced off the networks (which he said he won’t use) were the following: “I had the opportunity to live with 16 of the players from the last formation. With all humility, if there is anyone who knows the present and the future of Spanish football is this man who is sitting here. If it still seems to you that I have little experience, well, with that background I introduce myself” he concluded.

Spain were eliminated in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar by Morocco on penalties after a goalless draw in regular time, which led to the departure of Luis Enrique. His successor is already on the field with a different but not inferior profile.