Montse Tomé will be the first woman to lead the Spain women’s team, which has just won its first World Cup in Australia. At 41, she succeeds Jorge Vilda who was dismissed from his post earlier on Tuesday afternoon. Close to Luis Rubiales and whose methods are criticized by his players, the now 42-year-old ex-coach has paid the price for the internal restructuring of the federation. He was also removed from his position as sporting director of women’s football.
While his contract ran until August 2024, Jorge Vilda notably pays his support to Luis Rubiales, the president of the federation, who had forced a kiss on Jenni Hermoso during the ceremonial presentation after the victory of Spain in the final of the World Cup against England (1-0).
During Rubiales’ speech, he was among those who applauded him. A decision he had finally regretted when he backtracked a few hours later. The 23 players from La Roja crowned world champions in Australia had announced that they refused to be called up for selection until there was a change at the head of the federation.
???? ???????????????????????????? | The RFEF dismisses Jorge Vilda as national coach and sports director.
The coach has been key to the remarkable growth of women’s football and leaves Spain as world champion and second in the FIFA ranking.
— RFEF (@rfef) September 5, 2023
In a press release, the Spanish Federation, however, highlights the qualities of Vilda. “We appreciate her impeccable personal and sporting behavior, as it is a key element in the notable growth of women’s football in Spain. During her long tenure, Vilda has been a promoter of the values of respect and sportsmanship in football. »
The press release also underlines: “When in 2015 he joined the bench of the national team, the national team was far from being the elite and currently occupies the second position of the FIFA ranking”. Finally, the Federation specifies: “The RFEF would like to express its gratitude to Jorge Vilda for the services he has rendered, for his professionalism and his dedication during all these years, wishing him the best success for the future”.
Earlier this Tuesday, she had “asked forgiveness” from the “world of football and the whole of society” for the “unacceptable” behavior of its president Luis Rubiales.
Their men’s players on Monday condemned Rubiales’ “unacceptable behavior” in a joint statement read to the press by Atlético Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. But the former captain of Spain considered this step late and “insufficient”.
