Luis de la Fuente’s Surprise Move: Spain’s Winning Manager Eyes US Men’s National Team Job

Sunday’s European Championship victory over England may have been the crowning moment of Luis de la Fuente’s career, but the 63-year-old Spain manager is reportedly ready to make a shocking move. According to sources, de la Fuente’s representatives reached out to US Soccer about the vacant men’s national team job just two days before his team’s historic win.

De la Fuente’s interest in the position comes as a surprise, given his recent contract extension with the Spanish federation through 2026. However, the allure of the US men’s team job may have been too great to resist. The position has been vacant since Gregg Berhalter’s departure last week, following a disappointing group stage exit at the Copa America.

The report states that reps for de la Fuente emailed USSF sporting director Matt Crocker on Friday regarding the position. This move comes as a surprise, given de la Fuente’s successful tenure with Spain, which has seen the team win all seven of their games at Euro 2024, including victories over Germany and France.

De la Fuente’s experience and success make him an attractive candidate for the US men’s team job. He has been with the Spanish federation since 2013 and previously managed Athletic Club’s B team, as well as serving as a youth coach at Sevilla. His ability to lead Spain to victory in the Euros, despite being one of the oldest managers in the tournament, is a testament to his tactical acumen and leadership skills.

The US men’s team has been searching for a new manager since Berhalter’s departure, and de la Fuente’s interest in the job may be a welcome development. The team is set to host the 2026 World Cup, alongside Mexico and Canada, and finding the right manager is crucial to their success in the tournament.

Other candidates, such as Los Angeles FC’s Steve Cherundolo and the Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy, have also been linked to the job. However, de la Fuente’s experience and success make him a compelling choice for the position.

The US men’s team doesn’t play again until September 7, when they face Canada in a friendly match. Until then, the search for a new manager will continue, with de la Fuente’s surprise move adding a new twist to the saga.