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

2024-09-04 00:00
Spanish association football manager and former player
country in southwestern Europe with territories in Africa
Spanish association football player
  • Luis de la Fuente took over as Spain's national football manager at 61, emphasizing the importance of knowing his players.
  • The team, featuring young talents like Lamine Yamal, demonstrated a dynamic style during Euro 2024.
  • De la Fuente believes in normalizing emotional support for players, viewing it as a strength that enhances team unity.

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Insights

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.

Contexts

Luis de la Fuente, the coach of the Spanish national football team, is preparing for Euro 2024 amidst a backdrop of significant achievements and challenges in Spanish football. Spain recently showcased a new generation of talent, holding both the Nations League and European Championship titles, which reflects a strong competitive spirit in the national team. The football landscape in Spain is also influenced by broader societal trends, as a recent survey indicated that a notable percentage of young men favor authoritarianism under certain circumstances, highlighting a growing disillusionment with democracy. This sentiment may impact the cultural and social environment surrounding sports, including football. Additionally, Spain is currently facing an overtourism crisis, particularly in popular tourist destinations, which has led to protests from locals. This situation could affect the atmosphere during major sporting events, as the influx of tourists may create tensions in host cities. As the Euro 2024 approaches, the focus will be on how Luis de la Fuente can harness the potential of his players while navigating the complexities of the current socio-political climate in Spain, ensuring that the team remains competitive on the international stage.

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