When Luis de la Fuente was appointed head coach of the Spanish national team in December 2022 following the departure of Luis Enrique, few anticipated the extraordinary era that was about to unfold. Having spent nearly a decade within the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) youth system, his senior managerial C.V. outside the federation consisted of just 11 games at third-tier Alavés back in 2011. Yet today, fresh off leading La Roja to glory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and earning a deserved nomination for the 2026 Ballon d'Or Men's Coach of the Year award, De la Fuente stands as one of the most accomplished figures in modern football history.

A Long-Term Vision Rooted in Trust

De la Fuente’s journey to top-tier international management followed an unconventional path. Joining the RFEF in May 2013 after seeing a modest advertisement for a youth coach, the former Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla left-back quietly set about molding Spain's next generation. He guided the Under-19 team to European Championship triumph in 2015 before securing the UEFA European Under-21 Championship title in 2019 and a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with the Under-23 side.

Rather than seeking high-profile external stars when stepping into the senior hotseat, De la Fuente placed total trust in the youngsters he had personally nurtured from their teenage years. Players like Rodri, Álex Baena, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, and Nico Williams thrived under a manager who understood their developmental journeys intimately. As midfielder Álex Baena noted, De la Fuente's intuitive approach and calm guidance gave the squad complete confidence at every crucial moment.

Tactical Evolution and Unprecedented Success

Tactically, De la Fuente retained Spain's traditional possession-based foundation while modernizing the system. Deploying a structured 4-3-3 formation that features a 3-2 build-up shape, he injected directness, verticality, and rapid attacking transitions. The result was a dominant side capable of controlling matches without getting bogged down in passive possession.

The strategy delivered unprecedented silverware. Under De la Fuente, Spain won the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League, stormed through UEFA Euro 2024 with seven straight victories, and capped off the cycle by defeating Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. At 65 years and 28 days old, De la Fuente became the oldest coach to win the World Cup and the first manager in history to claim every major international honor across youth and senior levels.

With an astonishing 38-match undefeated streak and three major trophies in three years, De la Fuente's recognition on the 2026 Ballon d'Or stage is the ultimate tribute to a decade of patience, trust, and tactical mastery.