Luis de la Fuente

Luis de la Fuente Castillo is a Spanish football manager and former professional player recognized for his contributions to international football. As a player, De la Fuente recorded 254 La Liga appearances and scored six goals over 13 seasons with Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla, winning two league titles with Athletic Bilbao, including a double with the Copa del Rey. He played as a left-back, spending four seasons on loan at Sevilla, making over 100 appearances, before returning to Athletic Bilbao and concluding his playing career with Deportivo Alavés.

After retiring, De la Fuente began a coaching career that included roles at Portugalete, Aurrera de Vitoria, the Sevilla youth team, the Athletic Club youth side, Bilbao Athletic, and Deportivo Alavés. He later joined the Royal Spanish Football Federation to lead the Spain U19 team, where he guided the team to the European U19 Championship and the European U21 Championship. De la Fuente also led Spain's Olympic team to a silver medal at the Tokyo Games. During his tenure, he developed players such as Mikel Merino, Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Fabián Ruiz, and Unai Simón, who later represented the senior national team.

De la Fuente was appointed head coach of the senior Spain national team following Luis Enrique's resignation. Despite limited senior experience outside the federation's youth system, De la Fuente led Spain to titles in the Nations League, the European Championship, and the World Cup. Under his leadership, Spain achieved a tournament record by winning all seven matches at the European Championship, defeating England in the final. Spain also reached the World Cup final, conceding just one goal throughout the tournament, and secured victory over Argentina in the final.

De la Fuente became the oldest World Cup-winning coach and the first in European football history to remain undefeated in his first 14 European Championship and World Cup games. His coaching philosophy emphasizes player development, tactical discipline, and adaptability. De la Fuente is recognized for his ability to manage teams under pressure and for his strategic approach to international football, contributing to one of the most successful periods in Spanish football history.