SPAIN are eyeing their fourth European Championship title on Sunday as they take on England in the Euro 2024 final.
La Roja have been one of the stand out sides in Germany, winning all of their games at the tournament so far.
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Luis de la Fuente has been the man in the Spanish dugout at Euro 2024 – and SunSport has the lowdown on the impressive gaffer.
Who is Spain manager Luis de la Fuente?
Luis de la Fuente was born in Haro, Spain, on June 21, 1961 – and is the head coach of the Spanish national team.
His footballing journey began as a player, coming through Athletic Bilbao’s youth system, making his senior debut for the reserves in 1978.
Three years later, De La Fuente made his first appearance for Bilbao’s first team as a left-back, coming on as a substitute in a 0-0 draw with Valencia.
The Spaniard went on to make 179 appearances for The Lions before making the switch to Sevilla in 1987.
After four years in the south of Spain, he returned to Bilbao for a 20 million pesetas fee.
In 1993, De La Fuente moved to Alaves in the Spanish third tier – and after one season, he decided to hang up his boots aged 33.
At international level, the left-back made one appearance for the Spanish Olympic team in 1988 but was never selected for La Roja’s senior side.
When did Luis de la Fuente go into management?
De La Fuente was appointed manager of Club Portugalete in 1997, just three years after retiring.
In the summer of 2000, the Spaniard was then appointed at third-tier side Aurrera but was sacked the following year.
He then had a spell in charge of the Sevilla academy before returning to Bilabo to manage their youth and reserve teams during a six-year stint.
In 2011, he was appointed coach at another former club in Alaves but was dismissed after just eleven games in charge.
After two years away from management, De La Fuente joined the Spanish national team set-up in 2013.
He enjoyed stints as manager of Spain’s U18, U19, U21 and U23 sides before being appointed head coach of the senior team, replacing Luis Enrique in 2022.
De La Fuente boasts an impressive record in charge of La Roja, winning 18 of the 21 games he has been at the helm.
The 63-year-old will is aiming to lead Spain to Euro 2024 glory on Sunday as they take on England in the huge Berlin final.
England vs Spain record
England have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…
- May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)
- December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)
- May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)
- November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)
- March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)
- March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)
- February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)
- September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)
- September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)
- October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)
Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.
What has Luis de la Fuente won?
As a player, De La Fuente enjoyed a successful career, winning successive La Liga titles in 1983 and 1984 with Bilbao.
The 1984 season was a double-winning campaign, with The Lions also winning the Copa del Rey.
Bilbao have not won the Spanish top-flight ever since those back-to-back triumphs.
As a coach, De La Fuente had success with the Spanish youth teams, winning the European U19 Championship and European U21 Championship in 2015 and 2019, respectively.
In 2020, he led Spain to a silver medal at the Japan Olympics after they lost to Brazil in the final.
Last summer, De La Fuente secured his first title with the Spanish senior team – as La Roja edged passed Croatia on penalties to win the Uefa Nations League title.