In an exclusive interview with Marca, de la Fuente shares his journey to coaching the Spanish national team, showing the humility, tenacity and vision of a champion coach.
First of all, he was incredibly excited and proud to be the Europa League-winning manager, emphasizing that it was the result of the team's tireless efforts, while also expressing his desire to continue to improve and grow in the future. De La Fuente knows that success is not the end, but a new beginning, and that there is still a lot of room for improvement for him and the team.
When talking about the changes in the outside world, he felt the widespread recognition and support from the media and the public, which was doubly gratifying. He particularly mentioned that the joy and pride of people sharing this achievement made him more convinced of the significance and value of the cause he was engaged in.
In the face of skepticism and outside comments, De La Fuente has shown great mental fitness and professionalism. He selectively listens to positive feedback and ignores comments that may negatively affect him in order to maintain his mental health and independence. He firmly believes that if he makes the decisions he believes are right and sticks to them, he will be successful.
Speaking about the team's competitiveness and team spirit, de la Fuente said that Spain is a team that knows how to compete. They have experienced many tough moments, but it is these experiences that have made them more resilient and mature. He believes that as long as the team maintains this spirit and athleticism, they will be able to achieve more victories in future matches.
De La Fuente expressed respect but not fear for the challenge of strong opponents such as Germany. He believes that every team has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the key lies in how to play to their strengths and limit their opponents' play. He believes that the Spanish team is well prepared and will go all out to meet the challenges of each opponent.
Talking about his personal communication with Morata, De La Fuente spoke highly of Morata. He believes that Morata is a model captain, not only in the field performance is excellent, in the team also played a good role in the lead. The frequent communication between him and Morata not only enhances the cohesion of the team, but also lays a solid foundation for the team's tacit cooperation in the game.
Finally, De La Fuente revealed how he has already started preparing for September and beyond. He said that as a coach, he must always be alert and focused, constantly planning and adjusting the team's tactics and lineups to meet the demands of different matches. He believes that with the concerted efforts of all the players, the Spanish team will be able to achieve further success in the coming matches.
