05 September 2023 , 14:09
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Jorge Vilda has been sacked as the Spanish women's national team manager.
The decision arrives after the Spanish FA (RFEF) issued a public statement apologising to "football and society as a whole" for the spiralling scandal concerning the actions of suspended federation president Luis Rubiales after the national team's Women's World Cup victory. Vilda leaves just 16 days after winning the tournament. His former assistant coach Montse Tome replaces him as coach.
The final call was made by acting President, Mr. Pedro Rocha. A statement from the RFEF confirming the news read: "The Royal Spanish Football Federation, in one of the first renewal measures announced by president Pedro Rocha, has decided to dispense with the services of Jorge Vilda as sports director and women's national coach, a position, the latter, which he accepted in 2015.
"The RFEF appreciates his work at the head of the National Team and in his functions as the head of sports for the women's teams, as well as the successes achieved during his time crowned with the recent achievement of the World Cup."
Calls for the departures of Rubiales and divisive head coach Vilda have increased in intensity since the fallout from the final in Sydney. This followed widespread criticism of Rubiales for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips following the 1-0 win over England. Earlier this month, the Commission of Territorial Presidents of the RFEF - who also called on Rubiales to resign - were exploring the contractual and legal logistics of removing Vilda from his post.
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Vilda led La Roja to victory at this summer's Women's World Cup, but his tenure as Spain boss has been marred by controversy, with 15 players having threatened to boycott the national team last year due to his alleged ill-treatment and poor managerial methods.
Earlier this month, Rubiales sensationally offered Vilda a lucrative contract extension worth €500,000 per year as the president refused calls for his resignation, calling him "the best coach in women's football." During the same speech, where Rubiales insisted he would not resign, footage showed Vilda applauding the former President. Following the mass walkout of Vilda's entire coaching staff, the head coach publicly denounced Rubiales' behaviour in a later statement.
Despite playing his part in a controversial player dispute, Vilda led his country to a first ever major trophy in the women's game. Spain recovered from a 4-0 defeat to Japan in the group stage to eventually reach the final, where they defeated the Lionesses 1-0 thanks to Olga Carmona's first half goal.
A year earlier in the aftermath of their 2-1 defeat to England at Euro 2022 in the quarter-finals, 15 players sent the RFEF separate but identical emails asking not to be called up to the national team. The email didn’t explicitly asked for Vilda to be removed, but his position looked to be in major doubt.
In the end 12 of the original 15 didn't play in the finals this summer, with defender Ona Batlle, forward Mariona Caldentey and, most importantly, Aitana Bonmati all returning to the fold to play a crucial role in the World Cup triumph. But despite the manager overseeing a first major tournament win, he won't lead the national side going forward.
Spain lifted the World Cup in Vilda's final game in charge (PA)But the fallout from Rubiales' behaviour at the final proved to be the final nail in Vilda's coffin despite the on-field success of the team. Rubiales faced widespread criticism for his kiss on Hermoso and wider behaviour at the final.
This included the then president of the RFEF appearing to grab his crotch in close proximity to Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter. Vilda celebrated with Rubiales at the final and the RFEF continued to back him in the aftermath of the game, posting 'VILDA IN' on Spain's official twitter account after the team's triumph.
But just over two weeks later Vilda has been fired from the job. The RFEF statement adds: "The RFEF would like to express its gratitude to Jorge Vilda for the services provided, for his professionalism and dedication during all these years, wishing him the best successes in the future.
Luis Rubiales, President of RFEF alongside Jorge Vilda (Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)"The RFEF is left with an extraordinary sporting legacy thanks to the implementation of a recognised game model and a methodology that has been an engine of growth for all the women's categories of the national team."
The federation subsequently announced that Montse Tome, Vilda's former assistant will take charge for UEFA Nations League games against Sweden and Switzerland later this month. She becomes the first women to hold the role.
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During his reign, Vilda oversaw 108 matches as Spain coach, winning 75, and reached the European Championship quarter-finals twice in 2017 and 2022, before winning their maiden major trophy in Australia. The World Cup winners sit second in the current FIFA women's world rankings.