Luis de la Fuente on coaching success and humanity in Spain, Euro 2024

Luis de la Fuente, who became the manager of the Spain national football team at the age of 61, emphasizes the importance of understanding and supporting players. He believes that knowing the players well is a significant advantage for a coach. Under his leadership, Spain showcased a dynamic team during Euro 2024, featuring young talents like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, which he views as symbols of a promising future for Spanish football. De la Fuente advocates for normalizing the emotional aspects of sports, arguing that showing humanity is not a weakness but a strength. He highlights the need for coaches to provide support to players during challenging times, fostering a sense of unity within the team. As Spain prepares to defend their Nations League title against Serbia, De la Fuente expresses confidence in his players, including Rodri, who has achieved significant success in his career. The team's recent accomplishments have set high expectations for their continued performance in international competitions.