It was 12:49 when Luis de la Fuente appeared in the Luis Aragonés room at the Ciudad Deportiva de Las Rozas. He wore a blue jacket, a white shirt, and a blue round-neck sweater, a practical mix between formal and casual. He began by greeting journalists warmly and spoke with a direct, approachable tone about his plans as Spain’s coach: the first priority is to welcome every reporter to the federation home base, and to thank the coaching staff for three months of work that simplified his decision-making process.
De la Fuente calls David García, Pedro Porro, Zubimendi, Iago Aspas, Joselu and Bryan Gil.
José Luis Escudero
Sergio Ramos, hero
The press conference began in earnest as the first question came in. Sergio Ramos offered a composed response, expressing admiration for a player who had already made history with the national team. He stressed his intention not to discuss individuals who were not present, but emphasized the need to support the new coach and the new generation. Ramos spoke with quiet firmness about maintaining privacy for private conversations and noted that the team would be guided by confidence in the new leadership. The gathering grew crowded with cameras and reporters, while a group of Costa Rican staff observed from the back of the room. De la Fuente reiterated core themes such as teamwork, a clear game plan, and a preference for natural play. Although this was his first public appearance, the Rioja native appeared composed in front of a press group that included notable football figures like Pablo Amo, Ettien, Tito, Javier López Vallejo, and Raúl Ruiz. He outlined his coaching philosophy and described Spain’s shift from the youth-to-senior development approach to a more northern, direct style of play, featuring multiple attacking options. The concept moved away from a simple one-system approach toward a dynamic, adaptable framework that emphasizes vertical movement and rapid transitions.
A dozen cameras framed the scene while more than fifty journalists listened, along with several technicians from Costa Rica. De la Fuente used terms like “team,” “game idea,” “agreement,” and “naturalness” with a steady cadence. Though new to this level of public scrutiny, he appeared comfortable addressing a diverse audience and a roster of players under consideration. The coach began to describe the team’s playing ideology, signaling a move away from past habits toward a modern approach that blends strategy with flexibility. The proposed lineup leaned toward a more aggressive frontline with options such as Morata, Joselu, Aspas, and Gerard Moreno, reflecting a shift toward a more attacking posture that hadn’t been seen in recent campaigns. The terminology suggested a clean, vertical style rather than cautious, possession-based tactics.
De la Fuente’s Faith
De la Fuente articulated his beliefs with careful restraint, addressing questions as they came. He stated that no player is untouchable and that the team will pursue a clear idea of play, while acknowledging that multiple tactical paths might be explored within a single framework. He emphasized that leadership should be meaningful and that a captain must set a positive example. As minutes passed, the transition from the Luis Enrique era to what was described as a renewed Spain team became clearer. The coach avoided direct comparisons with his predecessor while outlining a plan rooted in unity rather than controversy. The presentation style leaned toward a straightforward, almost rustic tone, with the federation sharing introductory visuals of the selected squad. The approach stood in contrast to the high-tech media presence that had characterized the previous regime, suggesting a more grounded, practical launch for the squad under a new leadership.
The faction of supporters known as the delafuentólogos speculated about potential selections such as Yeray or Gabri Veiga, but the announced roster did not include them. Vigo’s youth contingent appeared poised to play a significant role at the Under-21 level, with the senior team’s prospects riding on the rise of new talents. In this first moment, Haro’s players were closely watched, with 11 reentries among 26 repetitions and several bold new calls. The management team signaled a readiness to resolve dual citizenship questions for Le Normand and to monitor César Azpilicueta’s readiness as goals are counted with Unai Simón. Bjacetic’s pathway to Under-21 competition could be accelerated, while Marco Asensio urged greater sacrifice and continued ambition, encouraging the players to push hard and contribute to the evolving project.
Haaland premiere defense
The upcoming test against Norway, led by Odegaard, will mark Haaland’s most visible challenge to date for the new setup. The emphasis is not merely on individual matchups but on validating the broader defensive structure that will support the coaching staff in high-stakes games. The absence of Sergio Ramos places additional responsibility on the new center-back group, including Laporte, Nacho, Íñigo, and David García, to demonstrate cohesion and resilience. As the first public training session approaches, the plan is to open the doors to fans for the squad’s initial practice on Monday evening, signaling a palpable shift from speculation to a tangible, working group. The era of the “Luis team” is now in motion, with the team carrying forward a renewed identity and a clearer sense of purpose.