Spain coach Luis de la Fuente on a decade of youth development as team reaches World Cup final

Luis de la Fuente, the 65‑year‑old head coach of Spain’s national football team, has guided the side to the World Cup final after years of building a core of players through the country’s youth system. Starting in 2013, he answered a federation call for a youth coach, leading the U‑19s to a European Championship in 2015 and later winning the U‑21 European title in 2019. He also oversaw the Olympic squad that earned silver in Tokyo 2021.

De la Fuente emphasizes a “family” atmosphere and the importance of choosing the right companions on the journey. His long‑term work has produced a generation that includes Unai Simón, Rodri, Mikel Merino, Dani Olmo, Pedri and others, many of whom have become key figures in the senior team. He stresses that the squad’s success stems from collective decision‑making and a focus on individual development within a team context.

Ahead of the final in Dallas, the coach reflected on the decade‑long recruitment process, noting that the players he once coached at youth level now form the backbone of a side that has already won a Nations League and a European Championship. His calm, consistent approach—maintaining the same routines and personal habits—has been highlighted as a factor in the team’s cohesion and confidence.