LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Sacked Spain women’s coach Jorge Vilda has voiced his strong disapproval of his recent dismissal, asserting that it was unjust.
His removal from the position occurred just 16 days after Spain’s Women’s World Cup triumph.
The 42-year-old coach was relieved of his duties by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following a scandal involving RFEF president Luis Rubiales.
Rubiales was suspended by FIFA after he kissed Spain player Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony in Sydney on August 20. The Spanish government is seeking further sanctions in this matter.
READ ALSO: Dani Carvajal Criticizes Rubiales For Inappropriate Behavior At Women’s World Cup
Hermoso stated that the kiss was not consensual, while Rubiales has continued to insist otherwise. As a result of Rubiales’ refusal to resign, over 80 players from the women’s side went on strike, demanding the removal of RFEF leadership.
Regarding his sacking, Vilda told radio station Cadena Ser, “The explanation for the sacking was ‘structural changes.’
“After everything that has been achieved, giving absolutely everything… I have a clear conscience. I gave 100 percent, and I don’t understand it; I don’t think my sacking was deserved.”
Before the World Cup, 15 players had initially refused to play for the national team due to disagreements with Vilda and the federation, though many eventually relented, and three were called up for the tournament.
After the World Cup, Rubiales had pledged to extend Vilda’s contract by four years and provide him with a significant pay increase.
Vilda expressed his dismay at the abrupt change in circumstances, saying, “I’m feeling as good as you can after becoming world champions 16 days ago, 10 days ago having your contract renewed with a higher salary, and then today being sacked, I think unjustly.”
Criticism had been leveled at Vilda for applauding Rubiales’ controversial speech, in which the president spoke against “false feminism” and refused to resign.
READ ALSO: Spain Women’s Coach Vilda Sacked After Rubiales Scandal
Vilda clarified his stance, stating, “I will never applaud anything macho. I didn’t know where that meeting was going; we thought we were going to see a resignation. The president was evaluating your work and announcing your renewal—that I applauded.”
While Vilda admitted that he hadn’t recently spoken to Hermoso, he expressed his awareness of her suffering after the incident.
“I’ve known Jenni for 16 years,” Vilda said. “I know she’s having a hard time, I know her family is having a hard time, and I know she’s waiting for all this to be over.”
Vilda had taken over as the head coach of the Spanish women’s national team in 2015, following several years coaching younger age groups within the RFEF.
Complaints had arisen about his training methods, tactics, and other issues surrounding the team, particularly after Spain’s elimination by England in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals.
Vilda had also faced criticism for being excessively “controlling” by former players. Reports even suggested that he demanded to check players’ shopping bags and required squad members to leave their bedroom doors open during team training camps to ensure they were present in the evenings.
Despite these controversies and criticisms, Rubiales and the federation had initially stood by Vilda, who had called up younger players to fill in for the 15 missing stars in the lead-up to the World Cup.
