‘Best is yet to come,’ says De la Fuente after Spain extension

AFP | Madrid

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Spain's World Cup-winning coach Luis de la Fuente said he is convinced "the best is yet to come" with the national team after renewing his contract until 2032 yesterday.

De la Fuente, 65, has led Spain to their second World Cup triumph, Euro 2024 glory and a UEFA Nations League title since taking over from Luis Enrique four years ago.

"There are still many good things that we're going to be able to enjoy," De la Fuente said during an event at the Spanish football federation (RFEF) headquarters near Madrid, shortly after his extension was announced.

De la Fuente spent a decade working with Spain's youth teams before stepping up to the senior role in 2022, winning 38 of 50 matches in charge.

He also led Spain's Under-17s and Under-21s to European titles, and guided the country to a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

"We're talking about the most successful head coach in the history of the national team, and after 14 years with us, this is something Luis de la Fuente deserves, a long-term future at the RFEF," said federation president Rafael Louzan.

"We are seeking stability and confidence, for Luis, for his entire staff and for the players."

Louzan explained that although the focus had been on 2030, when Spain will co-host the World Cup with neighbours Portugal and Morocco, he decided to extend the offer by a further two years.

"Hopefully he can continue beyond 2032, but the least we could do was offer a contract until 2032 to what is probably Spain's most decorated national team coach, with all due respect to great coaches such as Vicente del Bosque and others," said Louzan.

"I think it is the right thing to do, what Luis deserves," he added.

While no details of the new contract have been disclosed, local media reported that the Spain coach has secured a significant pay rise.