Without a pay rise, Spain coach says
Luis de la Fuente, Euro Cup champion, awaits resolution of legal issue with the federation to have promise fulfilled: “I don’t know if the same would have happened with Luis Enrique”
Coach Luis de la Fuente, who led Spain to victory at Euro 2024, has spoken out as he awaits a salary increase promised before the competition. In an interview with radio station “Cadena SER”, the coach admitted that he is bothered by the fact that he has to wait for a legal issue to be resolved and made a comparison with his predecessor.
It’s not normal for a European champion to be without a contract. I don’t know if the same would have happened with Luis Enrique. I had offers, as is normal. What’s not normal is for the current European champion to be without a contract.”
— Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach
The coach actually has a valid contract – but he still receives the same salary as when he was in charge of Spain’s under-20 team. After Luis Enrique left the position at the end of 2022, he was promoted to the position of coach of the main team, but his salary conditions were not improved. His contract, which was initially due to expire in the middle of this year’s Euros, was even extended until 2026 so that he could work normally in the competition. However, the increase was only promised, due to a legal issue.
The president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Pedro Rocha, who took office in April, reached an agreement with Luis de la Fuente for a salary increase during the Euros. The new terms were to be included in the contract immediately after the competition, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) prevented the director from continuing in the role on July 16, immediately after the Euros ended.
Thus, the promise was not fulfilled. And De La Fuente will still have to wait for the conclusion of the RFEF electoral process this year to resolve the situation – since the federation’s statute states that contracts can only be terminated by the president. The European champion’s salary increase, therefore, would only come at the beginning of 2025.
– I am satisfied as a coach. What I hope is that this situation is resolved soon, for the good of Spanish football, stability and clarity about my contract. I am happy, but I believe that agreements should be finalized when discussed. I do not mind waiting for the new president, as long as it brings comfort to everyone. I am confident that this will be resolved – said the coach, who said he was calm despite the problem.
Spain will take to the field this Saturday against Denmark in the Nations League at 3:45 pm (Brasília time). On the 15th, they will face Serbia, also in the continental competition. The team is unbeaten in 21 matches, since losing to Scotland in March 2023.
