Luis de la Fuente was not disappointed to be overlooked for the Real Madrid job but would rather it was taken by a Spaniard and not Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho will return for a second spell at the Santiago Bernabeu if incumbent Florentino Perez wins the presidential election, as expected, against challenger Enrico Riquelme on Sunday.
Perez’s decision to go back to Mourinho is a surprise given one of the volatile Portuguese’s main tasks is to restore harmony to a fractured dressing room. Given his success in moulding big egos into a cohesive unit with Spain, it was a surprise De la Fuente was not even a contender for the Madrid job but the 64-year-old insists he is happy where he is.
Asked about Madrid in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, he said: “I’m where I want to be. I have been in the RFEF [Spanish Football Federation] for 13 years and I am happy doing this job. I already said it when I trained the Under-19s and the Under-21s: I’m here because I like it and because I’m happy.
“For me there is no greater pride than being the coach of Spain. I would never have imagined arriving here and right now I think of nothing else than to continue being a coach for many years and hopefully retire here. I still have a lot of energy and I can give a lot.”
Asked about the Madrid role in detail, De la Fuente expressed his frustration that it appears Spanish coaches will be overlooked despite their success this season with Luis Enrique, Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery all winning major trophies.
He added: “I think it’s important to value the Spanish coach. Historically, the Spanish coach has been one of the best trained in the world. There is a wonderful school of coaches, exceptional concepts and methods. And now the result is being seen.
“Spanish coaches are winning titles in Spain and abroad. We must be doing something well. What happens is that, unfortunately, many times here [in Spain] it seems that you have to show more. But these [such as the Madrid job] are decisions that others make. I always bet on national value, whether coach, soccer player or journalist.”
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Spain have the best players in the world, says De la Fuente
Spain will head to the World Cup as one of the favourites and will be well fancied to back up their European Championship triumph of two years ago.
And De La Fuente has full belief in his squad, who are in Group H alongside Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde and Uruguay.
“I think we are aware of the raw materials we have,” he said. “In my opinion, we have the best players in the world. But we also know that there are many very strong squads. In that range of real candidates for the title there are eight, nine or 10 teams with real chances of being world champions. And Spain is among them. Now, that doesn’t guarantee anything. You have to do things very well, make few mistakes and have good days so that no one beats you.”
We will manage Lamine Yamal properly – De la Fuente
What the other teams don’t have is a bona fide teenage superstar in Lamine Yamal. The Barcelona winger is currently recovering from a hamstring injury but De la Fuente is looking forward to having him fit when the action gets underway.
Asked how he will manage the 18-year-old, he said: “As we have always done: normally, naturally and talking clearly about what he is going to find. It won’t surprise him because he is a soccer player and a very mature person for his age. He has a great ability to quickly interpret situations.
“You simply have to be aware of what you have between your hands, feet and heart. And show the world the kind of soccer player he is. He has to continue to be consistent, keep improving, keep working more and taking care of himself more, although he already does that. But the demand of the highest level will ask even more and he is willing to do it.”
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