Luis de la Fuente (footballer, born 1961) facts for kids
De la Fuente in 2026
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Luis de la Fuente Castillo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 21 June 1961 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Haro, Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Left-back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Current team
|
Spain (manager) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1976–1978 | Athletic Bilbao | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1978–1982 | Bilbao Athletic | 59 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1981–1987 | Athletic Bilbao | 146 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1987–1991 | Sevilla | 86 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1991–1993 | Athletic Bilbao | 22 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993–1994 | Alavés | 35 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 348 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1978–1979 | Spain U18 | 4 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1982–1984 | Spain U21 | 4 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1988 | Spain Olympic | 1 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–2000 | Portugalete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2001 | Aurrerá Vitoria | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | Bilbao Athletic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2011 | Bilbao Athletic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Alavés | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2018 | Spain U19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2022 | Spain U21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Spain Olympic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022– | Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Medal record
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Luis de la Fuente Castillo, born on June 21, 1961, is a famous Spanish football manager and a former player. He used to play as a defender on the left side of the field. Today, he is the head coach of the Spanish national football team.
During his playing career, Luis de la Fuente played in 254 matches in Spain's top league, La Liga. He scored six goals over 13 seasons with clubs like Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla. With Athletic Bilbao, he won two league titles and the Copa del Rey in 1984.
De la Fuente started coaching Spain's youth teams in 2013. He led the Under-19 team to win the European Championship in 2015. Later, he guided the Under-21 team to win their own European Championship in 2019. He also coached the Olympic team, winning a silver medal at the 2020 Olympic Games. In 2022, he became the coach of the senior Spanish national team. Under his leadership, Spain won the Nations League in 2023, Euro 2024, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Contents
Luis de la Fuente's Playing Career
Starting in Youth Football
Luis de la Fuente was born in Haro, La Rioja, Spain. He started his football journey in the youth academy of Athletic Bilbao. In 1978, he began playing for their reserve team, Bilbao Athletic. This was in a league called Segunda División B.
On March 8, 1981, he played his first game for the main Athletic Bilbao team. This was also his first match in La Liga, Spain's top football league. He came on as a substitute in a game against Valencia that ended in a 0-0 draw.
Playing for Top Spanish Clubs
In the summer of 1982, de la Fuente officially joined Athletic Bilbao's main squad. He scored his first professional goal on March 26, 1983. This goal helped his team win 4-0 against Celta de Vigo.
In July 1987, Luis de la Fuente moved to another top-tier club, Sevilla. He played regularly for Sevilla, either as a defender or sometimes as a left winger.
He returned to Athletic Bilbao in 1991. However, he didn't play as often during his second time with the club.
Retirement from Playing
In 1993, de la Fuente joined Alavés, a team in the third division. After playing for one season with Alavés, he decided to retire from playing football at the age of 33.
Luis de la Fuente's Coaching Journey
Starting as a Coach
After retiring as a player, Luis de la Fuente began his coaching career. His first job was with Portugalete in Spain's regional leagues.
In the summer of 2000, he became the coach of Aurrerá Vitoria, a team in the Segunda División B. He left the club in March 2001.
De la Fuente also worked with the youth academy at Sevilla again. Later, he returned to Athletic Bilbao. There, he coached youth teams and the reserve team. He also spent two years as a match delegate.
On July 13, 2011, he was appointed coach of Alavés. However, he left the position a few months later, on October 17, 2011.
Leading Spain's Youth Teams
Luis de la Fuente started coaching for the Spanish national youth teams on May 5, 2013. He took charge of the Spain Under-19 team. Under his guidance, they won the UEFA European Championship in Greece in 2015.
In July 2018, he became the manager of the Under-21 team. His first big tournament with them was the 2019 European Championship in Italy. His team won the championship by beating Germany 2-1 in the final match.
On June 8, 2021, de la Fuente and his Under-21 team had a special role. They played a friendly match against Lithuania as the senior Spanish team. This happened because the main team had to isolate due to a player testing positive for COVID-19. They won the game 4-0.
De la Fuente also coached the Spanish Olympic team at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. His team performed very well, earning a silver medal. They lost 2-1 to Brazil in the final.
Coaching the Senior Spain Team
On December 8, 2022, Luis de la Fuente was chosen to be the head coach of the senior Spanish national team. This happened after the previous coach resigned. He signed a contract that could be extended.
His first game as senior coach was on March 25, 2023. Spain won 3-0 against Norway in a European qualifier match.
De la Fuente led Spain to win the UEFA Nations League in 2023. This was a historic first win for Spain in this competition. They beat Croatia in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw in the final.
Spain also had a fantastic performance in Euro 2024. They finished first in their group without conceding any goals. De la Fuente's team went on to win the trophy in Berlin. They won all seven of their matches, beating England 2-1 in the final.
In January 2025, his contract was extended until Euro 2028. Spain then qualified for the 2026 World Cup by finishing first in their group.
During the 2026 World Cup finals, Spain topped their group. They reached the final for the first time since 2010. They scored 13 goals and only let in one goal throughout the tournament.
Starting in March 2024, de la Fuente guided his team to a world record. They achieved the longest undefeated streak in men's international football, with 38 matches without a loss. He also became the first coach in European football history to remain undefeated in his first 14 European Championship and World Cup games.
In the 2026 World Cup final, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time. This victory secured Spain's second FIFA World Cup title. Luis de la Fuente became the oldest manager to win the tournament at 65 years and 28 days old.
De la Fuente's Coaching Style
Because Luis de la Fuente coached youth teams for many years, he likes to work with younger players. He often chooses players he knows well from the youth system. He believes in trusting and developing young talent.
Under de la Fuente, the Spanish team often controls the ball for most of the game. He also started using a more traditional forward player. This means the team often sends more crosses into the penalty box to create scoring chances.
Personal Life
Luis de la Fuente is married and has three children. His son, Alberto, is also involved in football. Alberto worked with his father as an analyst for the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
Achievements and Awards
Luis de la Fuente has achieved many great things as both a player and a manager.
As a Player
Athletic Bilbao
- La Liga: 1982–83, 1983–84
- Copa del Rey: 1983–84
- Supercopa de España: 1984 (won automatically after winning the league and cup)
As a Manager
Spain U19
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2015
Spain U21
Spain U23
- Summer Olympics silver medal: 2020
Spain Senior Team
- FIFA World Cup: 2026
- UEFA European Championship: 2024
- UEFA Nations League: 2022–23; Runner-up: 2024–25
Individual Awards
- IFFHS World's Best Men's National Coach: 2024, 2025
See also
In Spanish: Luis de la Fuente Castillo para niños
