The Spain women’s national team is about to begin a new chapter as Montse Tomé takes the helm in September, with her debut in the Nations League set to unfold against Sweden and Switzerland. This marks a historic moment in Spanish football, as the national team benches welcome a woman leader for the first time, guiding a squad that has already seen recent successes at both senior and youth levels.
In a move announced by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Montse Tomé steps into the role previously held by Jorge Vilda. Her appointment comes amid a broader program of renewal led by interim federation president Pedro Rocha, who has been overseeing federation operations following the suspension of Luis Rubiales. The change signals an intent to refresh leadership structures across Spanish football and to strengthen the pathways for players across all levels of the women’s game.
RFEF commentary emphasizes Tomé’s long-standing involvement with the national setup. Born in Pola de Siero in 1982, she has served as an assistant coach on Vilda’s staff since 2018 and has become a central figure in the team’s ongoing development. Her deep familiarity with the locker room and the federation’s player development pathways stands out as a major asset as she steps into a high-profile leadership position. This appointment aligns with the federation’s regeneration efforts and aims to build stability and momentum within the national team program.
Tomé began her career as a player and transitioned to coaching in 2012, building a reputation through years on the bench. Her intimate understanding of talent development, combined with the national academy’s structures, places her in a strong position to guide Spain through an era of ambition and growth. Spain recently celebrated a World Cup victory in Australia and New Zealand, underscoring a period of heightened achievement. The success extends to the youth ranks, where teams in the under-17 and under-20 categories have claimed titles, reflecting a healthy pipeline of players ready to contribute at the senior level.
September presents an immediate test for Tomé as she coordinates the opening two matchdays of the UEFA Women’s Nations League. On September 22, Spain will host Sweden, currently the top-ranked team in FIFA’s hierarchy, with a visit from Switzerland scheduled for September 26 in Córdoba. These fixtures pit Spain against teams with recent World Cup experience, providing a clear gauge of where the program stands and how quickly it can translate youth success into results on the senior stage. A strong start would reinforce the program’s potential and signal a confident path forward under new leadership.
Analysts view Tomé’s appointment as more than just a single staffing change. It is part of a broader strategy to refresh leadership across Spanish football and to consolidate the nation’s strengths at all levels of the women’s game. Her proven trust within the current coaching staff, along with her deep knowledge of the federation’s development pathways, is expected to help Spain push further onto the world stage. The Nations League matches are anticipated to serve as an early indicator of how the new leadership will steer the national team into its next era. [Goal]