Vilda’s dismissal marks a turning point for Spain’s women’s national team
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), under interim leadership from Pedro Rocha, announced the removal of Jorge Vilda as the head coach of the women’s national team. Vilda, who had steered the team to world championship glory in Australia and New Zealand since taking charge in 2015, leaves behind a chapter defined by both triumphs and controversy. The new RFEF leadership aims to erase the lingering influence of the Rubiales era by replacing the most vulnerable links in the prior structure.
Reports from El Periódico de España, part of the Prensa Ibérica group, indicate that the decision was formalized at the Regional Presidents’ Commission meeting held in Las Rozas, the federation’s headquarters, last week. The same gathering reportedly approved the dismissal of Vilda from the men’s team in parallel fashion, while also calling for changes among senior federation staff. The proposed reshuffle includes the removal of Andreu Camps, the secretary general, and the Integrity Director Miguel García Caba, along with external legal counsel Tomás González Cueto. Several of these individuals remain in their roles for now, a situation that has drawn government attention and concern about the federation’s governance.
The timing of the decision came as the men’s national team prepared to travel to Georgia for European Championship qualifying matches. Despite recent successes with the national squad, Vilda’s position was weakened by the Rubiales affair, and several star players and others publicly stated they would not return while the Andalusian manager remained in charge.
Public reactions and the Rubiales context
The dismissal occurred amid ongoing fallout from Rubiales’ conduct and the broader leadership crisis within the federation. Vilda was among those who publicly supported Rubiales in a tense parliamentary moment, later stating regret for certain remarks and noting that the federation had faced intense and possibly damaging scrutiny. In the same political setting, Rubiales had pledged to pursue renewal terms for the federation, a plan that would have included a significant financial package tied to a forthcoming market event.
The former coach, whose contract was due to run through 2024, issued a statement the day after the critical meeting. He condemned inappropriate behavior while acknowledging that the unity of the team had been undermined by the events surrounding the federation’s leadership. The broad player backlash against the leadership played a decisive role in his departure, underscoring the need for a fresh direction for the women’s national program.
Potential successors and the path forward
With Vilda’s exit, Sonia Bermúdez and Montse Tomé have been discussed as possible interim or eventual head coaches. The federation has indicated that players cannot refuse national team calls without legal consequences, complicating any transition. The period ahead is seen as a critical junction for a program that has faced multiple crises during the Rubiales era, including a notable split among players who once supported the leadership but later questioned it. Some of these players returned to contribute to later success on the world stage.
The timing of the leadership changes was driven by the urgency to finalize call-ups for the end-of-month matches and the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. The federation’s leadership transition is also framed as a chance to restore trust in the national program and to demonstrate a commitment to professional standards and accountability across all levels of administration and coaching.
Observers note that the changes extend beyond the women’s program and touch on broader governance issues within the federation. The new leadership is expected to push for structural reforms and increased transparency, while aligning the federation’s culture with the expectations of players, fans, and the government. As Spain moves forward, the chosen successor will be under intense scrutiny to deliver results on the pitch and stability off it, a balance that has proven difficult to secure in recent years.
The broader public conversation continues to emphasize accountability and renewal within the federation, with the government and national sports bodies watching closely. The coming months will reveal how the federation pursues a sustainable path that honors the achievements of past squads while rebuilding trust with players and supporters alike, as Spain’s women’s program aims for continued competitiveness on the international stage.