Spain’s Women’s National Team and the Vilda Scenario
The suspended chairman of the RFEF offered a contract extension to the head coach, yet his continued role remains uncertain.
For Jorge Vilda, leading Spain’s women’s national team is proving increasingly delicate, even after Luis Rubiales proposed a contract renewal last Friday at a special assembly in Las Rozas. Much has shifted since then, and the World Cup champions may soon reassess their coaching situation on the world stage.
After a turbulent year that included the dismissal of fifteen players from the squad, with three later reinstated, Vilda pressed on from the sideline and oversaw one of the most significant achievements in Spanish sport. Spain captured the Women’s World Cup title for the first time, a triumph sealed on August 20 when Olga Carmona scored the decisive goal against England in the final staged in Australia and New Zealand.
Jorge Vilda’s contract with the Spanish women’s team: current term, salary, and potential dismissal after the Rubiales controversy
Vilda’s contract with the federation runs through June 2024, which would leave him in charge for another year unless there is a change. The Rubiales controversy has upended expectations, and news about the coach’s future is anticipated in the hours ahead.
During the general assembly where Rubiales announced his continued leadership amid ongoing turmoil, the then-acting president urged a four-year extension and publicly disclosed the proposed salary for the team’s coach, stating it as half a million euros over four years.
“Jorge, I felt a surge of emotion. It may well be the happiest day of my five years in office, celebrating world champions,” Rubiales said at the meeting, signaling that negotiation mechanisms were activated through a senior official to keep Vilda with the federation for the foreseeable future. He added that the coach deserved a significant salary for his contributions and effort, acknowledging the hardships overcome along the way and praising Vilda as one of the best coaches globally in women’s football.
“There were people who claimed Jorge earned half a million, and I want to set the record straight. Figures mentioned included 160 to 170 thousand euros, though the specifics are part of internal discussions,” Rubiales continued, noting that he would not remain in his role as sports director under such circumstances.
Federation allies from territorial associations have signaled that Vilda should not continue to lead the national team. Yet moving on is not straightforward since his contract still has a year remaining, while the coaching staff had recently terminated their own agreements as the August 31 deadline passed.
As the next federation-wide meeting approaches, held by the regional presidents on August 30, the board will decide whether Vilda receives formal ratification. With matches coming at the end of September, players have already warned they will not return while the current leadership remains in place.
Note: This overview reflects ongoing developments and analysis from Canada and the United States audience perspectives, focusing on implications for national team leadership and long-term planning within European women’s football.