The Spanish national team has seen a long line of coaches debuting in competitive matches, with only one exception in the last 35 years starting with a loss. That exception was Luis Suárez in 1988, who began his tenure against Yugoslavia with a defeat.
Luis de la Fuente stepped onto the bench of La Roja as the new coach, and his first match ended in a convincing 3-0 victory. The opponent was Norway, a fixture that counted toward the Euro 2024 qualifiers. The weight of expectation on his shoulders was immense, and the same pressure weighed on the team. In the last 35 years, the only Spain manager to start with a loss was Luis Suárez, back in 1988 when Yugoslavia claimed the win.
Coaching staff of Luis de la Fuente for the Spanish national team
How did the debuts of the most recent Spain managers go?
Luis Suárez
His debut occurred on September 14, 1988 in Oviedo, against Yugoslavia. The result finished 2 goals to 1 in favor of Yugoslavia.
Vincent Mira
Taking over after Suárez, Mira made his Spain debut on September 4, 1991, again in Oviedo, where Spain beat Uruguay 2-1 with goals from Martín Vázquez and Manolo.
Javier Clemente
At El Sardinero in Santander, Clemente appeared on September 9, 1992 and Spain won against England 1-0, thanks to a goal from Fonseca.
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Jose Antonio Camacho
Camacho debuted on September 24, 1998, with a 1-0 victory over Russia, the goal scored by Alkiza.
Inaki Saez
Saez did not win, but he did not lose either in his first game. On August 21, 2002, his side drew 1-1 with Hungary in Budapest, a match that served as a tribute to Ferenc Puskás.
Luis Aragonés
One of the most influential coaches in Spanish football history, Aragonés first took charge on August 18, 2004, in Las Palmas, where Spain defeated Venezuela 3-2. The scoring trio featured Raúl Tamudo twice and Fernando Morientes once.
Vincent del Bosque
The world champion coach began with a win, as Spain beat Denmark 3-0 in Copenhagen.
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Julen Lopetegui
His start, as a visiting side, came with a 2-0 victory over Belgium, thanks to a brace from David Silva.
Fernando Hierro
Hierro’s debut was unusual. Two days before the first 2018 World Cup match, the federation chairman decided to part ways with Lopetegui as his Real Madrid arrival had been announced. Hierro, then the sports director, led the team to a 3-3 draw with Portugal, a game memorable for Cristiano Ronaldo and a hat trick on the opposing side.
Luis Enrique
Septembers 2018 marked a stylish start for the Asturian, a victory over England at Wembley by 2-1, securing three points in the Nations League. Saúl Ñíguez and Rodrigo Moreno were the scorers for La Roja, while Marcus Rashford posed the England tests.
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Robert Moreno
Moreno, who briefly led La Roja as a stand-in for Luis Enrique, began his tenure with a 2-1 win against Romania in September 2019. Sergio Ramos converted a penalty and Alcácer added another goal.
Louis van Gaal
The latest entry, Louis van de Bron, debuted on March 26, 2023 against Norway in a Euro 2024 qualifying match. Spain won 3-0 with Joselu scoring twice and Dani Olmo adding another goal.
Source: Goal
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