Jorge Vilda hits out at "unfair" Spain Women's sacking

Only two weeks on from leading Spain to their maiden Women's World Cup title, Vilda was dismissed from his post on Tuesday amid the ongoing Luis Rubiales controversy.

The 42-year-old - who had also managed his nation's Under-17 and Under-19 teams - memorably faced a player boycott last year, as 15 members of the team complained about his training methods.

Twelve of those players did not return to the Spain setup for their triumphant World Cup run, which culminated in a 1-0 win over England in the final, but the actions of Rubiales during the ceremony sparked uproar.

The now-suspended Spanish Football Federation president kissed Pachuca striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips, which the player claims she did not consent to, although Rubiales has challenged her version of events.

During an impassioned speech at the Extraordinary General Assembly, Rubiales stated that the kiss was consensual and repeatedly refused to resign, drawing applause from Vilda in the audience.

Vilda later criticised Rubiales's behaviour, but 11 of his coaching team resigned in the wake of the scandal, leaving his position untenable despite his success in Australia and New Zealand.

Speaking for the first time since being given the boot, Vilda told Cadena SER that he felt his dismissal was undeserved, and he was given little explanation by acting president Pedro Rocha other than "structural changes".

"I am as well as can be after being fired after being world champion 10 days ago. I have been fired, I think, unjustly," Vilda said. It was a brief meeting with Pedro Rocha and the vice president of Equality. The explanation is that there has been 'structural changes'.

"After everything I have achieved, of working hard as just another worker, I have a clear conscience. I have given 100% and I don't understand it, I didn't see my termination as deserved.

"Has it been unfair? In terms of sports I am going to accept all the criticism, but personally I think yes, it has been unfair. It has been a special year, I have taken it like a master's degree.

"Nothing has ever been said "directly but indirectly things have been said that do not suit me. Things have been said that are not true."

Vilda also admitted that he felt obliged to applaud Rubiales's speech, and he also denied claims that he had tried to persuade Hermoso - whose version of events he accepts - to join Rubiales in an apology video.

"I will never applaud anything sexist. I thought there was going to be a resignation. The president is valuing your work and announcing your renewal, I applauded that," Vilda added. "When 150 people around you applaud it is very difficult to be the only one who doesn't.

"I've known Jenni for 16 years, I know she's having a hard time. What Jenni says is the truth about him. Did I ask Jenni to go out with Rubiales in the apology video? No. On the return trip I spoke to some players, but not to Jenni."

Montserrat Tome has been appointed Vilda's successor ahead of Spain's upcoming Nations League clashes against Switzerland and Sweden, but 81 players recently announced their intention to boycott matches unless Rubiales - who has been provisionally suspended for 90 days by FIFA - left his job.