Luis de la Fuente: ‘The appreciation for Spain should have happened ages ago’

Manager on the values behind Spain’s coaching success, the joy of teaching and how Lamine Yamal has been touched by God’s wand

On the ground floor of the Spanish football federation’s headquarters in Las Rozas are two classrooms covered with photos of everyone who has played for la selección. More than 800 men are there, frames spilling into the corridor, but the coach who leads them to the World Cup is not. Luis de la Fuente’s international playing career took him only as far as the under-21s so his picture is missing, which is a pity – “I used to have hair like this,” he claims, hands recreating flowing locks – but he knows this place well. This is where he taught; it is also, he says, where he learned, his pupils not alone in going on to big things.

The 2024 European Championship-winning coach settles into a sofa in a small room on the floor above. His squad named, these are the final days before flying to Chattanooga. Days of excitement and to “judge the load” as players clock in: 20 on the first day, Pedro Porro the next and Yéremy Pino the day after, then Mikel Merino and finally those who played in the Champions League final. Days to take it all in – “I’m so happy to be going to a World Cup” – and to take pride too.