The Spanish men’s football team qualified on Sunday for the «final four» of the Nations League, after defeating the Netherlands in the penalty shootouts at Mestalla (Valencia), intensifying the battle for a third consecutive edition and thus continuing their quest to climb up the rankings under Luis.
The love affair between Spain and the Nations League seems endless. Out of the four editions of the tournament, the «roja» managed to reach the final stage in three out of four. Moreover, the title they secured two years ago in Rotterdam marked the beginning of another Golden Age, which has seen them undefeated in 22 games since the semi-final in June 2023, making it the second longest unbeaten streak in history.
The «Final Four» also helped dispel doubts surrounding Luis de Fuente. The coach from La Rioja arrived in the Netherlands with a sense that his position was in jeopardy, especially after a loss to Scotland in Glasgow at the start of the Euro 2024 qualifying phase.
However, the outcome couldn’t have been better: a victory over Italy and the first major title for Haro after defeating Croatia in the penalty shootouts. The highlight for Spanish football in June 2023 was the emergence of a new generation of very young football players who seem to have come to stay.
Under Luis de Fuente’s leadership, Spain has reached a level of excellence that seemed impossible to regain after the era between 2008 and 2012, when the greatest generation in Spanish football history won the Euros, World Cup, and Euros again. Names like Casillas, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Villa, and Sergio Ramos seem to have found successors in Rodri, Fabián, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Cubarsí.
Despite only coaching 30 games, one of which was a friendly insisted on by Sergio Busquets before the Euro 2021, «La Roja» under Haro has produced extraordinary numbers, positioning him as arguably the best coach in Spanish history.
While his list of titles may not match that of Vicente del Bosque, who won the Euros and the World Cup, Luis de Fuente has managed to lift trophies in both the Euro and Nations League, marking a significant achievement in Spanish football history.
In terms of statistics, Luis de Fuente boasts an impressive record. Out of his 30 games in charge, he has secured victory in 22, placing him eighth in terms of total wins as Spain’s coach. His win percentage of 76% is the highest among Spanish coaches who have managed at least 15 games.
Another aspect that sets Spain apart is their ability to withstand pressure when the opponent is in control. A recent example of this resilience was the draw against the Netherlands a few days ago. Under Luis de Fuente, Spain has only suffered defeat in two games, one against Scotland and the other in a friendly against Colombia.
Some of the best technical coaches in Spanish football history include Luis Aragages, who added four wins in his 54 games. Vicente del Bosque, who led the winning side of the 2010 World Cup, lost 17 games out of his 114, while Javier Clemente, in 62 games, lost only six but drew a third of them.
Additionally, Luis de Fuente has managed to instill a unique style of play and personality within the Spanish team. If Spain was known for «Tiki-taka» in 2010, now it’s the flair of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams that shines through, making them one of the most colorful and attacking national teams in Europe.
In total, Spain under Luis de Fuente has scored 73 goals in the 30 games played, with only four goalless draws against Scotland and Colombia, a goalless draw against Croatia in the Nations League final, and another goalless draw against Serbia.
While Luis de Fuente’s legacy as a national team coach is still being written, his impact over the past two years has already placed him among the best selectors in Spanish football history. Despite lacking club-level experience, his coaching record is comparable to the best coaches in the game today.
Currently, Haro is on track to achieve a triple crown of national league, Euros, and the Nations League. His success began with being crowned European U-21 champions in 2019, consistently reaching at least the semifinals in various competitions. He recently led Spain to the final of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, losing to Brazil, and then guided the senior team to victory in the 2022-23 Nations League, adding to their Euro triumph.
