In a shocking turn of events, Jorge Vilda, the head coach of the Spain women’s national soccer team, has been removed from his position just 16 days after the team’s triumphant World Cup win. Vilda, 42, expressed his dismay, asserting that his dismissal was unjust and that he leaves the role with a clear conscience. The unexpected decision came in the aftermath of a scandal involving Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
The controversy erupted when FIFA suspended RFEF President Rubiales following an incident during the medal ceremony in Sydney on August 20. Rubiales kissed Spain player Jenni Hermoso, sparking a dispute about whether the kiss was consensual. While Hermoso stated that the kiss was not consensual, Rubiales has maintained that it was.
In response to Rubiales’s refusal to resign, more than 80 women’s national team players initiated a strike, demanding the removal of the RFEF leadership. This significant protest disrupted the team’s operations and led to further turmoil within the organization.
Jorge Vilda, speaking to radio station Cadena Ser about his sudden sacking, revealed that the official explanation given to him was “structural changes.” He expressed his bewilderment and emphasized his unwavering commitment to the team, stating, “After everything that has been achieved, giving absolutely everything … I have a clear conscience. I gave 100 percent and I don’t understand it, I don’t think my sacking was deserved.”
Before the World Cup, there had been tensions within the squad, with 15 players initially refusing to represent the national team due to disagreements with Vilda and the federation. However, most of them eventually relented, and three were called up to participate in the tournament.
Following Spain’s World Cup triumph, Rubiales had pledged to extend Vilda’s contract by four years and provide him with a substantial pay increase. Vilda expressed his dismay at the abrupt turn of events, saying, “I’m feeling as good as you can after becoming world champions 16 days ago, 10 days ago having your contract renewed with a higher salary and then today being sacked, I think unjustly.”
Vilda also made it clear that he stands firmly against any form of misconduct, stating, “I will never applaud anything macho.” He explained that the meeting with Rubiales had initially appeared to be about resignation but ended with his dismissal.
While Vilda had not recently communicated with Jenni Hermoso, he acknowledged her distress following the incident. “I’ve known Jenni for 16 years,” he said, “I know she’s having a hard time, I know her family is having a hard time, and I know she’s waiting for all this to be over.”
Jorge Vilda took over as the head coach of the Spanish women’s national team in 2015 after coaching younger age groups within the RFEF for several years. Throughout his tenure, players had raised concerns about his training methods, tactics, and other aspects of the team’s management. His coaching style was criticized for being excessively controlling, with reports suggesting that he demanded to inspect players’ shopping bags and required the squad to leave their bedroom doors open during team training camps to ensure their presence in the evenings.
Despite these controversies and complaints, Rubiales and the federation had stood by Vilda’s side, with the coach calling up several younger players to fill in for the 15 stars who initially refused to participate in the lead-up to the World Cup.
