Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Spain Women

sportsmole.co.uk, 5 September 2023, 16:30
Jorge Vilda has been sacked as Spain Women's head coach, the country's football federation has confirmed.

The 42-year-old guided his nation to their first-ever World Cup crown at the recently-concluded 2023 tournament, as La Roja defeated England 1-0 in the final.

However, Spain's triumph was tarnished by two off-field scandals, as Vilda faced a player revolt in late 2022 amid alleged concerns over his training styles and treatment of players.

The former Under-17s and Under-19s head coach refused to step down from his role in the wake of the accusations, and 12 of the 15 players who originally boycotted national team duty did not return for the World Cup.

During La Roja's celebrations, RFEF president Luis Rubiales sparked global outcry by kissing striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips - an act that the Pachuca player claimed was not consensual.

In contrast, a bullish Rubiales has consistently stated that Hermoso did consent to the kiss and has so far resisted calls to step down from his role, which Vilda expressed his support for during an explosive General Assembly speech.

As Rubiales - who has been provisionally suspended for 90 days by FIFA - said on numerous occasions that he would not leave his post, Vilda was seen applauding his superior, although the 42-year-old subsequently labelled Rubiales's actions "inappropriate and unacceptable".

One day before Vilda condemned the president's actions, his entire coaching staff resigned in protest against Rubiales, while 81 women's players plan to boycott matches until he is removed from power.

The Spanish Football Federation is currently under the control of acting president Pedro Rocha, who has admitted that he is "ashamed" by Rubiales's behaviour, and the chief has also relieved Vilda of his duties after a highly controversial tenure.

Despite last year's mutiny, the RFEF paid tribute to Vilda for his "impeccable personal and sporting conduct", saying in a statement: "The Royal Spanish Football Federation, in one of the first renewal measures announced by President Pedro Rocha, has decided to part ways with Jorge Vilda's services as the sports director and head coach of the women's national team.

"The RFEF appreciates his work leading the national team and his role as the highest sports authority for the women's teams, as well as the successes achieved during his tenure, culminating in the recent World Cup victory.

"We highly value his impeccable personal and sporting conduct, as he has been a key figure in the significant growth of women's football in Spain. Throughout his extensive tenure, Vilda has been a promoter of respect and sportsmanship values in football.

"The RFEF wants to express its gratitude to Jorge Vilda for his services, professionalism, and dedication over all these years, wishing him the best success in the future. The RFEF inherits an extraordinary sporting legacy thanks to the implementation of a recognized playing style and a methodology that has driven growth for all women's national team categories."

Vilda departs with a record of 75 wins from 108 games as Spain head coach and has been replaced by Montserrat Tome, a former Barcelona Femeni midfielder and four-cap Spain international.

The world champions are due to return to action with a pair of Nations League fixtures against Sweden and Switzerland on September 22 and 26 respectively.

Top News

3 January 2025 talksport.com Mohamed Salah has reiterated his claims that talks between him and Liverpool over a new contract are no closer to being finalised. 3 January 2025 talksport.com Former Everton defender Ben Godfrey is in advanced talks over a move to Ipswich, talkSPORT understands. 3 January 2025 talksport.com Manchester United will extend Harry Maguire's contract because they are 'starving for leaders on the pitch'. 3 January 2025 talksport.com Manchester City are looking to be proactive in the January transfer window as they eye three potential season-changing players. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has played down suggestions that Eric Garcia is close to leaving the club. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides in the hunt for a place in Europe next season resume their Ligue 1 campaigns on Sunday as Lens host Toulouse at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has said that the Red Devils "will try to do something" during the January transfer window despite their well-documented problems when it comes to the financial regulations. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Kasimpasa will look to add more wins to their current unbeaten run when they host Gaziantep at Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadyumu on Sunday. 3 January 2025 talksport.com Crystal Palace have had a £15million offer for Liverpool's Ben Doak rejected, talkSPORT understands. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides desperate to climb out of the relegation mire will go head-to-head as Bodrumspor welcome Kayserispor to Bodrum Ilce Stadi on Sunday. 3 January 2025 talksport.com Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has announced that Wesley Fofana could be out for the entire season with an injury much worse than they originally feared. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will look to recover from back-to-back defeats when they travel to South London to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk High-flying Bournemouth welcome Everton to the Vitality Stadium in their first Premier League fixture of 2025 on Saturday. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Out to stretch their Premier League unbeaten run against West Ham United to 19 matches, Manchester City welcome the Irons to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to get their Champions League push back on track, Aston Villa will host relegation-threatened Leicester City at Villa Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. 3 January 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT's Andy Goldstein admitted he fears the worst for Manchester United's trip to Liverpool this weekend in a furious rant. 3 January 2025 talksport.com Ange Postecoglou's struggling Tottenham side have been dealt another blow with an injury to one of their key players. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov who has emerged as a target in the January transfer window. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has suggested that Marcus Rashford will not be involved in Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic, looking to bounce back from a disappointing Old Firm derby defeat, are set to host St Mirren at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday afternoon. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Pep Guardiola wants Manchester City to splash the cash in the January transfer window, with the Citizens prepared to fight Premier League rivals for two in-demand stars, according to a report. 3 January 2025 talksport.com Lille chiefs were left incensed by Arsenal when Park Chu-young rocked up in London. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has delivered an update on the fitness of defender Sven Botman ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has revealed that Destiny Udogie will be sidelined for around six weeks with the hamstring injury he suffered against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed that Wesley Fofana faces a race against time to play again this season. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has suggested that Aaron Anselmino will not be rushed into action in the Premier League. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal expert Charles Watts would not be surprised to see Mikel Arteta axe Gabriel Jesus from the first XI for Saturday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are allegedly contemplating whether to make an approach for Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by four places in the Ligue 1 table, Angers and Brest face off in the 16th round at Stade Raymond Kopa on Sunday, keen to get 2025 off to a promising start. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Rangers will aim to build on their superb 3-0 victory in the Old Firm Derby as they head to Easter Road Stadium on Sunday to face an in-form Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.