Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente believes his team has cemented their status as “the best in the world” following their thrilling 2-1 victory over England in the Euro 2024 final. With an impeccable record of seven straight wins throughout the tournament, Spain showcased their dominance and secured their fourth European Championship title on Sunday in Berlin. “It’s difficult to improve something like that, but I would like my players to keep growing and improving,” said the 63-year-old de la Fuente. “They are tireless, they will keep improving and trying to win. They all need to feel proud … I hope everyone feels exactly as proud about this generation of players who can make history and have a long future ahead of them.”
Spain’s promising future was epitomized by the young talents involved in their first goal of the final. Seventeen-year-old Lamine Yamal provided a precise cross, which 22-year-old Nico Williams converted into a goal, underscoring the potential within the squad. De la Fuente’s journey with this group of players began over a decade ago when he started coaching Spain’s youth teams in 2013. Initially mocked as “Luis de la Who?” upon his appointment to the senior team 18 months ago, de la Fuente has silenced critics by transforming Spain’s playstyle. He moved away from the possession-based “tiki-taka” that once defined Spanish football, introducing a dynamic and ferociously attacking approach.
“I try to impose of course my own idea, an idea that I knew my players could implement on the pitch,” De La Fuente explained. “We tried to be unpredictable … we wanted to control the game with more dynamic situations and quicker transitions, thanks to very fast players.”
Euro 2024 Final: Spain vs England match report
De la Fuente expressed confidence in his players’ belief in his vision. “I was sure that my players believed in me because they proved it, not now but all along this journey. They’ve been infallible, we’ve done practically everything right … These footballers are an example for society because of the values that they represent.”
Regarding his future, de la Fuente appeared unworried, suggesting that contract discussions would happen in due course. “I’m not worried about that now, today is a day to celebrate and be happy,” he said. Reflecting on Spain’s journey, he highlighted their victories over football heavyweights like Italy, Germany, France, and England. “They [Spain’s players] won this tournament with extreme security and confidence in a kind of fashion we haven’t seen many times.”