The difficult beginnings of the coaching career of Luis de la Fuente

ByBNW TEAM

Today, Luis de la Fuente is recognized as one of the most successful coaches in Spanish football history, but his path to the top was far from easy. Before leading Spain to major international success, he experienced years of uncertainty, limited opportunities, and difficult moments that tested his patience and determination. Betting on the Spanish national side is very simple if you join the 1x Bet platform.

Born in Haro, La Rioja, in 1961, De la Fuente first built his reputation as a player. He represented clubs such as Athletic Club, Sevilla, and Deportivo Alavés before beginning his transition into coaching. However, his early years as a manager did not bring immediate recognition. After retiring as a player, he worked in lower categories of Spanish football, taking charge of teams including Portugalete, Aurrera de Vitoria, Bilbao Athletic, and Alavés. And the 1xBet website is the best platform when it comes to betting on Spanish football too.

One of the most challenging periods of his career came after his departure from Deportivo Alavés. In 2013, De la Fuente had spent around 18 months without a team, a difficult situation for any coach trying to establish himself. His opportunity arrived almost unexpectedly when he learned that the Spanish Football Federation was searching for a coach for the under-19 national team. With the recommendation of Iñaki Sáez, a respected figure in Spanish football, De la Fuente joined the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), beginning a new chapter in his career.

The legend begins

His work with Spain’s youth teams gradually transformed his reputation. He won the European Under-19 Championship in 2015 and later guided the Under-21 team to European glory in 2019. Despite these successes, his journey included setbacks. Spain failed to qualify for several Under-19 European Championships between 2016 and 2018, a period that affected De la Fuente personally and challenged his position within the federation. Nevertheless, he continued working and eventually earned another opportunity by leading the Under-21 side.

De la Fuente’s greatest strength was his ability to develop young talent and build relationships with players. Many footballers worked with him during their formative years before becoming big names, with 3 examples being:

  • Rodri;
  • Mikel Merino;
  • and Unai Simón.

When he replaced Luis Enrique as Spain’s senior coach in 2022, many questioned whether his experience with youth teams would translate to the highest level. He answered those doubts through results, winning the UEFA Nations League in 2023, the European Championship in 2024 and of course the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational and historical purposes only. The views and details presented are based on available sources and may not reflect the complete story of Luis de la Fuente’s coaching career. Readers should verify information independently.