Luis de la Fuente has an impressive record as Spain’s manager, boasting 16 wins, two losses, and two draws in 20 games. He claims to manage all this on just a few hours of sleep, with a maximum of five hours on a good night.

De la Fuente, 63, rose from relative obscurity to take Spain’s helm after their 2022 World Cup disappointment. He has since transformed them from a slow-passing team to a dynamic, direct force, making the most of their players’ strengths. While Spain maintains a strong possession game, they also excel in dribbles and crosses, posing a threat to England’s wing-backs in the upcoming match.

The manager’s extensive experience with youth teams, including winning the Euros twice with Spain’s under-19s and under-21s, has given him an advantage in knowing his players and implementing his vision. He has built a “family” atmosphere, earning the trust of his players and bringing new life to stars like Fabian Ruiz and Marc Cucurella.

De la Fuente’s Catholic faith and passion for bullfighting reflect his values, and he has weathered controversies to win over the nation. He has taken Spain on a challenging route at Euro 2024, beating powerhouses like Italy, Croatia, Germany, and France. As Spain’s favorites to win, De la Fuente has flipped the script, and England hopes to counter his strategic prowess in the upcoming match.

The devout Catholic manager has already tasted success with Spanish youth teams

Much like Gareth Southgate, De la Fuente has found success in international youth teams

When De la Fuente took over as Spain’s manager after the 2022 World Cup, eyebrows were raised due to his modest club-level experience. However, he has since proven his worth, animating the Spanish side with a dynamic playing style.

His time spent with youth teams has given him an advantage, as he knows the players well and can effectively communicate his vision. This has resulted in a versatile team with multiple attacking options, as evidenced by their diverse goal-scoring strategies. De la Fuente’s focus on building a strong team dynamic has paid off, with players like Dani Olmo, Unai Simon, and Fabian Ruiz shining under his leadership.

De la Fuente is a fan of bullfighting, a traditional Spanish pastime

Players have praised the strong team bond and ‘family’ atmosphere under De la Fuente

De la Fuente has managed multiple players as kids, including standout performer Dani Olmo

De la Fuente’s management style is avuncular and inclusive. He involves family members by asking them to record motivational messages for the team and personally messages every staff member after national team camps. His strong man-management skills and ability to connect with his players have contributed to Spain’s success.

However, De la Fuente has also faced controversies. He faced calls to resign after applauding then-Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales’ defiant speech, in which Rubiales refused to step down despite kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth and making inappropriate gestures. De la Fuente later apologized for his actions, calling them “unjustifiable.”

De la Fuente faced backlash for applauding Luis Rubiales’ defiant speech

RFEF president Luis Rubiales faced heavy criticism for his actions towards Jenni Hermoso

De la Fuente apologised for supporting the embattled official

De la Fuente’s strong results and player management have helped him weather these storms. He has brought new life to players like Ruiz and Cucurella, and his tactical prowess has been evident in Spain’s victories over Italy, Croatia, Germany, and France. As Spain’s favorites to win Euro 2024, De la Fuente has proven his ability to lead a successful national team.

De la Fuente has given players like Lamine Yamal the freedom to express themselves

Fabian Ruiz has been one of the standout performers under De la Fuente’s management

De la Fuente has taken Spain on a challenging route at Euro 2024, facing and defeating some of the strongest teams in the tournament. His strategic prowess and ability to bring out the best in his players have made Spain the favorites to win. England now faces the daunting task of countering his tactics in the upcoming match.