LAGOS, Nigeria (VOIC OF NAIJA) – Spain’s World Cup-winning coach, Jorge Vilda, has been dismissed amid major RFEF upheaval following the Luis Rubiales and Jenni Hermoso scandal.
Last month, Vilda’s team secured the World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over England in the final, a remarkable achievement given the upheaval in the team’s ranks a year earlier.
At that time, a majority of the squad had called for Vilda’s removal from his coaching position, leading to a player mutiny.
Fifteen players even declared they would not play for the national team as long as Vilda remained in charge.
Despite this internal turmoil, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) firmly stood by Vilda, with president Luis Rubiales staunchly supporting him.
Rubiales had gone to the extent of promising Vilda a new contract following Spain’s World Cup triumph.
However, Rubiales’s position as president was severely undermined when FIFA suspended him from all football activities for 90 days due to his inappropriate actions, including grabbing and kissing captain Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup final.
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Although Rubiales declined to resign during an extraordinary press conference, FIFA’s suspension effectively removed him from the RFEF temporarily, with Pedro Rocha assuming the role of interim chief.
The RFEF’s decision to terminate Jorge Vilda’s tenure was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday.
This move followed the RFEF’s issuance of a lengthy letter apologizing for Rubiales’ “unacceptable” behavior.
The statement from the RFEF read, “In one of the first renewal measures announced by President Pedro Rocha, the Royal Spanish Football Federation has opted to part ways with Jorge Vilda as Sports Director and Women’s National Team Coach.”
The RFEF expressed its appreciation for Vilda’s contributions, both as the head of the National Team and in his role as the leader of women’s sports teams.
It acknowledged his successes, culminating in the recent World Cup victory, and praised his impeccable personal and professional conduct.
Vilda played a pivotal role in the significant growth of women’s football in Spain during his time at the Federation.
Since joining the Federation, Vilda made substantial strides in women’s football, winning the U-17 European Championship twice, the U-19 European Championship, and most notably, the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
When he assumed the role of National Team Coach in 2015, the national team was far from the elite, but it now holds the second position in the FIFA ranking.
In his capacity as Sports Director, Vilda contributed to Spain’s triumphs in the U-17 World Cup (in 2018 and 2022) and the U-20 category (in 2022).
His achievements also included two U-19 European Championships and two U-17 European Championships, with the national youth team currently being the most successful.
The RFEF expressed gratitude to Jorge Vilda for his services, professionalism, and dedication throughout the years, and it extended best wishes for his future endeavors.
The RFEF acknowledged the enduring sporting legacy Vilda leaves behind, including a recognized game model and methodology that have fueled growth across all women’s categories on the national team.
