Image Source – EFE /
Interim President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Pedro Rocha, stated on Thursday in Monaco that the position of the men’s senior national team coach, Luis de la Fuente, is completely secure. He also mentioned that he plans to meet with the women’s national team coach, Jorge Vilda, next week to discuss his continuity.
“He is fully supported by all the members of the RFEF. He is a hard worker who is doing a fantastic job. We have two matches ahead, and he needs to focus on training and have luck in these two matches because his luck is Spain’s luck,” he said about De La Fuente, who will announce the list of players called up for the matches against Georgia and Cyprus in the qualifying phase for Euro 2024 on Friday.
Rocha, who traveled to Monaco to attend the UEFA Champions League draw this afternoon, also indicated that he expects to meet with the women’s national team coach, Jorge Vilda, next week. “When we have a meeting next week, we will see what decisions are made by both parties. First, we need to listen and have a conversation; that’s what’s important,” he added.
The new federation leader confirmed that he hasn’t spoken with Luis Rubiales in these days. Rubiales has been temporarily suspended by FIFA for 90 days since last Sunday. Rocha also expressed his opinion that at this moment, the RFEF as an institution needs a lot of tranquility and hard work.
“In the presidents’ meeting, we have discussed the points that we need to work on, and until we have all those points well analyzed, we can’t say anything. We are very clear that the institution is above everyone; it requires a lot of consensus, a lot of unity. Spanish football, represented by five teams here today, and we have come to support them because the image of Spanish football is of utmost importance. We have a lot at stake; we have a future World Cup bid, and we urge all media and everyone involved in football to reach a consensus,” he stated.
In response to those who consider him chosen by Luis Rubiales to now assume the presidency, given that he remains the sole vice president, the leader from Extremadura pointed out that he is “a man of the institution” and that he had previously experienced a similar situation in his regional context.
AND HERE WE ARE. THE ONLY THING WE’VE DONE IS WORK AND RISE. UNANIMOUSLY, ALL THE PRESIDENTS SUPPORTED ME. WE HAVE TO WORK AS A TEAM. I BELONG TO THE FEDERATION, TO NO ONE ELSE.
Asked about the steps the RFEF will take if Luis Rubiales does not resign, as unanimously requested by all the territorial federations, Rocha reiterated that the organization will “work, work, and work.”
BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MAKE A TREMENDOUS EFFORT, A GREATER ONE, WE’VE NAVIGATED MANY TIMES AGAINST THE WIND, WE’VE OVERCOME, AND WE’VE BUILT A GREAT FEDERATION. AMATEUR FOOTBALL IS VERY PROUD, AND WE MUST CONTINUE. I COME FROM THE GRASSROOTS OF FOOTBALL, AND THAT’S THE OUTCOME WE’RE GOING TO ACHIEVE WITH OUR NATIONAL TEAM.
