Luis de la Fuente: The architect of a new Spanish era

Spain's commanding victory over France in the World Cup semi-final was the culmination of years of development under coach Luis de la Fuente, a figure who has quietly built a new era for Spanish football. Unlike renowned coaching titans, De la Fuente, a native of the small region of La Rioja, has forged a team that functions with the cohesion of a club side.

De la Fuente's path to this success was not paved with the accolades of a star player or a high-profile coaching career. He had a modest playing career as a left-back and later coached in Spain's third division with limited success. Even when seeking a U19 team manager in 2013, more prominent names were considered, but De la Fuente secured the position and promptly led the team to the U19 European Championship title in 2015.

His success continued with the U21 team, winning the European Championship in 2019 with players who are now key figures in the senior squad. De la Fuente has a remarkable ability to instill his values and build strong connections with his players from a young age. This approach has transformed the national team, which features players from eight different clubs in its starting lineup against France, into a unified force.

Since De la Fuente took the helm of the senior team, Spain has suffered only three defeats in 48 matches, remaining undefeated in competitive tournaments. The team's on-field chemistry, fostered over years of development, makes the collective the star. Even with emerging talents like 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, who shows immense potential but also areas for improvement, De la Fuente's system consistently delivers results.