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The story of a coach who refused to give up until he reached the top
No one would have expected that the man who stormed out of the Mendizorosa Stadium after being sacked as Deportivo Alaves coach in the autumn of 2011 would return a few years later to stand on the world’s biggest football stage as Spain’s coach at the World Cup finals.
Between these two moments, Luis de la Fuente experienced one of the most difficult periods of his life. Eighteen months without a job, without certainty and with endless questions about his future in coaching.
But that stage, which seemed to many to be the end of the road, turned into a real beginning for him. He used it to learn, develop and rebuild himself, until today he is one of the most respected coaches in world football, leading Spain to a series of victories and reshaping the identity of La Roja with his calm style and balanced personality.
A harsh dismissal opened the door to the unknown
On 16 October 2011, Deportivo Alaves decided to sack de la Fuente after an inconsistent start to the season in Segunda B in the Spanish second division. The decision came after just eleven matches, during which the team recorded four wins and three draws, against four defeats.
Although the results were not disastrous, the club’s management were initially looking for the lead and did not give the coach enough time to implement his technical blueprint, which was based on possession and building play from the back, the same style he later became known for with the Spanish national team.
The club’s president at the time, Avelino Fernández de Cincoses, admitted years later that the decision to sack him was not easy, stressing that de la Fuente accepted the news calmly and gracefully and did not express any objections or emotions, which left an indelible impression on club officials, according to the report. newspaper”come on“Spanish.
Alaves in crisis
De La Fuente’s experience with Alaves came during one of the most tumultuous periods in the club’s history, plagued by financial crises and mounting debts that almost destroyed its future, going through turbulent administrative periods.
Despite these difficult circumstances, the Spanish coach left a great impression on everyone within the club, both on a humanitarian and professional level. “Alavés” officials described him as the owner of high morals and did not lose his smile and composure even in the most difficult moments.
The former club president recalls meeting De La Fuente around the dinner table his mother cooked, stressing that what sticks in his memory most is not the results of the games, but the man’s elegance and respect for everyone.
A shock that the players did not forget
Catalan striker Gito was one of the last players to score under De La Fuente, and he even scored in the last game before the manager was sacked.
The player insists that the team did not deserve to change the technical composition, noting that De La Fuente was ahead of his time with his game because he believed in possession and organized possession, ideas that did not find enough patience at the club.
He added that the coach was popular with the players and that he spent long hours in the gym until at times he seemed to be more dedicated to fitness than the players themselves.
Gito remembers the farewell scene the morning after layoff day, when De La Fuente walked into the locker room, sad and broken, to say goodbye to his players after feeling like his project was over before it began.
Among those present that night was his nephew, Luis de la Fuente, who had closely followed his uncle’s career. He says that he does not forget the chants demanding the coach’s departure during the meeting, but he was convinced that his uncle was created to achieve greater success than coaching “Alavés”.
He adds that after his dismissal, family members kept repeating to him a phrase: “The best is yet to come”, which later came true in all details.
Eighteen months of suffering
For De La Fuente, unemployment was not simply a lack of training seats, but rather a period of psychological and financial pressure. In his late fifties, he found himself without a team, knowing at the same time that it is not easy to return to the coaching market at this age, especially in light of the great competition among coaches.
His family became a real shelter that helped him overcome that period. She returned to live with her three children and spent more time with her family in Bilbao. He also often visited his hometown of Haro, where he regained his peace among family members.
Despite his unemployment, De La Fuente did not allow himself to stay away from football. He traveled all over Spain, moving between different clubs to follow training, discuss with the coaches and share experiences with them.
He also devoted himself to studying the ideas of Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, whom he considered one of the most famous coaching authorities in the world. He wanted to develop himself theoretically and even started learning the English language in preparation for any future opportunity.
He realized that the most dangerous thing any coach could face was being absent from the scene, so he wanted to constantly show up at stadiums, conferences and sporting events to stay in the spotlight.
Hobbies helped him survive
Football wasn’t the only thing occupying De La Fuente’s life at that stage. He continued to exercise daily, spending two sessions in the gymnasium, and devoted time to reading, especially Roman history, philosophy, and gladiator stories.
He found a way to meet his friends, be it in Bilbao, Vitoria or Seville, in addition to his frequent visits to Elcano restaurant in Getaria, owned by his former colleague Aitor Arrighi, who has a Michelin star.
Arrighi affirms that De La Fuente never changed, whether he was a player, coach or even during unemployment, because he was humble, graceful in his actions and true to his human values.
An opportunity that changed everything
In May 2013, the Spanish Football Federation began looking for a new coach for the under-19 national team. The coordinator of the national team, Ginis Melendez, initially thought about signing a contract with Fernando Morientes, but the latter chose to continue the academy of “Real Madrid”.
Then veteran trainer Iñaki Saez, a close friend of De La Fuente, stepped in and strongly advised him, confirming that he was the most suitable man for the job. Indeed, de la Fuente got an interview, and from there his new journey began.
Initially, the Spanish Federation only gave him a three-month contract. But de la Fuente believed that this opportunity would be the start of a long project, so he rented an apartment in Madrid from his early days, convinced that he would continue in the federation. And he was not disappointed.
Al-Ittihad extended his contract despite some initial setbacks and then went on to find success at various age groups, guiding Spain to European and World titles at youth level before he took over as first team coach. Today, his contract is extended until 2028, when he became one of the most famous coaches in the history of modern Spanish football.
A message that goes beyond football
Despite all of his success, those close to De La Fuente confirm that he still maintains the same calmness that distinguished him during his most difficult days. He also takes care of his family during national team camps, a move that reflects his belief in the great role his family has played in helping him overcome the most difficult phases of his life.
His family members believe that seeing Luiz lead Spain to the World Cup final is the greatest reward for years of patience and suffering, after a journey that began with layoffs and unemployment and ended with a fight for the highest honors.
Luis de la Fuente’s story is not limited to the success of a coach in the world of football, but it offers a human lesson to anyone who goes through a period of job loss, disappointment or having doors closed in their face.
For eighteen months, the man lived with worry, anxiety and fear of being forgotten, but he refused to give up and spent his time learning, refining his experiences and believing that opportunity would come, no matter how late. When that opportunity came, he was fully prepared for it.
Therefore, De La Fuente’s journey from unemployment to the World Cup finals is not only a sports success story, but living proof that failure can be a new beginning and that the toughest seasons can be turned into the greatest victory stories with patience, work and faith.
