Born in Haro within the area of La Rioja, a city extra accustomed to producing classic wines than nice footballers, De la Fuente took over from Luis Enrique shortly after the Qatar World Cup that noticed Spain eradicated on penalties within the final 16.
The earlier eight years had seen him answerable for massively profitable under-19, under-21 and under-23 sides.
He was not technically a Basque, however shut sufficient to being one to the extent he was thought of eligible to play for Athletic Bilbao for 9 years between 1976 and 1987 after which once more from 1991-1993.
Not everybody was satisfied he was the appropriate selection and defeat by Scotland within the European qualifiers in solely his second match appeared to substantiate their reservations. However simply three months later, Spain lifted the Nations League trophy after beating Croatia on penalties.
Lately the Spanish Federation introduced the renewal of his contract till 2026, to place to mattress one of many anomalies created by the latest Luis Rubiales debacle.
Within the World Cup celebrations Rubiales, then the nation’s soccer federation president, planted a kiss on the lips of participant Jenni Hermoso – a kiss he says was consensual however she says was not.
De la Fuente’s assist for the disgraced former Spanish FA president in a gathering of the federation, the place Rubiales’ passionate refusal to resign culminated within the Spain boss being amongst these to offer him a standing ovation, was nearly definitely not one thing he’ll look again on as his best hour.
His new contract, which was because of expire on 30 June, was lastly confirmed 11 days earlier than Spain’s Euro 2024 opener towards Croatia on Saturday.
De la Fuente has renewed his contract at a decrease price than he anticipated after his success on the job, one thing that has bothered him. In information conferences he typically feels like somebody who’s asking for extra respect and recognition.
His gamers communicate extremely of him and solely 10 gamers who participated within the final World Cup make his squad this time round. The one World Cup winner nonetheless round is Jesus Navas.
De la Fuente is a democratic chief who likes to take heed to assistants and leaders of the group. His most well-liked formation is 4-2-3-1, however Rodri – the chief of this workforce on the pitch – likes to play on his personal in midfield and that can push Pedri nearer to the primary striker in a 4-3-3 line up.
Whereas Luis Enrique’s World Cup facet was a possession-based workforce with a stunning lack of options, De la Fuente has insisted on giving his workforce a variation of options.
They will play inside with the likes of Dani Olmo, Pedri and Fabian Ruiz, but in addition combine it up with sport changers reminiscent of Lamine Yamal (who will have a good time his seventeenth birthday on 13 July, the day earlier than the ultimate takes place) and Nico Williams on the flanks. Each will begin towards Croatia.