UEFA Women’s Euro match between Spain and Finland. Photo by James Whitehead
When it comes to outstanding female football talent, Spain is among the finest in the world. Even with a skill pool as deep as Spain’s, head coach Jorge Vilda has nothing to show for it. Vilda’s most notable achievement as manager of the Spanish Women’s National Team has been reaching the Euros quarterfinals after seven years in charge. With his squad lacking confidence in him and supporters outraged, seven years and zero titles later, it’s time for Jorge Vilda to leave as the head coach of the Spanish National Team.
Who is Jorge Vilda?
Spain’s National Team has had a complicated history with coaches. Players themselves have told the horrors faced by them during Quereda’s time as head coach in the documentary Romper El Silencio. Vilda is the coach called up after 27 years of Quereda’s reign. Similar to the coaching under Quereda, not much has changed during Vilda’s time as the coach. However, the difference is that previously women’s football did not have the attention and support it does today.
Jorge Vilda is the son of Angel Vilda. Before moving into Spanish women’s youth football, Angel had fulfilled the role of a fitness coach at several prominent clubs in Spain. Both father and son have previously worked in the Spanish Women’s Youth Football before taking up significant roles within the federation. Jorge Vilda is not only the Head Coach of the Senior Women’s National Team but is also the Sports Director of the women’s department.
The Spanish Federation appointed Jorge Vilda the Head Coach of the Senior Women’s National Team after Quereda stepped down. Interestingly enough, Vilda was appointed as coach after a vote, not on his own merit. Having coached the youth teams brought in high expectations from RFEF. However, his achievements with the youth teams haven’t been many, with only twice winning the European Championships with the U-17 back in 2010 & 2011. In the seven years that Vilda has coached the Senior National Team, they have never achieved any international trophies. They have never once won the knockout stages in any major competitions.
It is essential to understand the powers Vilda holds in Women’s Football. As the Sports Director and the Head Coach of the National Team, he is the one who needs to decide to stop himself. Players have no choice but to speak to him. He is also the one who takes crucial decisions in the women’s football committee. Ultimately, even if Jorge Vilda leaves his position as the Head Coach, he still has a lot of power within the federation and in women’s football.
What is currently happening in the National Team?
On 29th August, the Spanish media website El Confidencial revealed that the Spanish Women’s National Team captains had contacted the RFEF President, Luis Rubiales, to request the dismissal of head coach Jorge Vilda. Since then, multiple developments and more information have been released each passing hour.
Divorcio total en la Selección.
Las jugadoras se reunieron ayer con Jorge Vilda para pedirle su marcha. Petición mayoritaria, pero no unánime.
📌 El técnico fue rotundo y aseguró que su intención es cumplir los 2 años de contrato. 📌 El ambiente en Las Rozas, muy hostil. pic.twitter.com/trhOsgPlx8
The news began to catch much more momentum after the players arrived at Las Rozas to camp for the FIFA World Cup 2023 Qualifiers. According to multiple sources from relevant sports media in Spain, the team players met with Vilda in person to request him to step down as the head coach, citing that they did not trust him to lead the team to victory anymore. Detailed information from Relevo suggested that the players think that game time is not managed proactively and that there is an apparent separation between starters and benched players, which has led to the demotivation of several players. The players also think there is a low degree of demand for training and that they can practise more effectively with their clubs. There have also been concerns about faulty injury management and minute overloads (particularly during friendlies), which occasionally increase discomfort or impede adequate recovery. El Pais Deporte also reported that the players were unsure about the tactical choices. Also, mentioning that the European Championship was awful in general, with disagreements over their criteria for making decisions on starting XIs. The players also expressed dissatisfaction with their ability to manage media appearances.
Spain vs Finland, UEFA Women’s EURO. Photo by James Whitehead
While the players have asked Vilda to retire, he is committed to completing his contract in 2024 with the backing of the Spanish Federation. President Luis Rubiales does not want the coach to leave and wants him to continue till the World Cup in 2023. Vilda’s contract was extended by the RFEF until 2024, just in time for the European Championship in England. According to Relevo, the Spanish Federation is furious with the National Team players for having the audacity to seek a coach’s dismissal. The RFEF strongly supports Vilda and has declared that he may stay till the World Cup “no matter what.” The federation is also taken aback by the players’ expectations.
It was previously also suggested by multiple sources that while all players were adamant that there should be changes in the future, some players did not want the dismissal of Vilda. More so with the information revealed by Spanish journalist Andrea Pelaez, Vilda held meetings with the players for over 3 hours, with players not currently in camp joining via video call. In addition, Vilda also held individual one-on-one meetings with the players to understand their standings about his dismissal. Many players felt the pressure and were overwhelmed during these meetings.
On 31st August, Marca revealed that Vilda offered improvements in management, but the confidence of certain players towards him was null. Marca also suggested that the players had to meet up after the technical team talk during the Euros in July to discuss how they had to pressure the rival and have an advantage in the game—clearly showing the trust the team does not have in their coach. Incidentally, this is not an isolated event. Fans have observed the lack of confidence in the coach being visible on the field during matches where players prefer to huddle up amongst themselves and strategise. Simultaneously, the opponent is generally observed discussing strategy with their coach.
El Partidazo de COPE and journalists Sandra Riquelme and Mayca Jimenez presented shocking facts from the Spanish camp in the early hours of 1st September. As stated on El Partidazo de COPE, there was a meeting between the players before the meeting with Vilda. They all agreed they needed to move on in this decision united. “Does anyone disagree or refuse to come forward?” was questioned several times during the meeting. Nobody says anything. Phrases such as “we need to take dramatic steps to attain the goal”– not having Jorge Vilda lead the team – were stated. During the meeting with Vilda, some players presented an entirely different version than they did previously. It’s not so much that they have a different version. Instead, they don’t say anything. As a result, those who spoke up felt deceived by others who did not.
La crisis de la Selección se traslada ahora al vestuario.
📌 Discusiones entre el núcleo del Barça y el del Madrid, más alguna jugadora de peso. Dos bandos ya muy diferenciados.
📌 Algunas creen que no se tuvo en cuenta su opinión a la hora de pedir la dimisión a Vilda. pic.twitter.com/HYkG5dEndn
The locker room is entirely separated. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona appear to be the two teams with the most weight. While many RFEF-friendly media blame the divide on the fact that several players want Vilda to stay, the message from the locker room is that when it counted most, some players lacked the fortitude required. Tension is rising, and the atmosphere is unsettling. Some players were noticeably impacted emotionally by the scenario during a meeting with Vilda on 31st August. There is palpable tension in the locker room between the players and Vilda, as well as among the players themselves.
Why are the players afraid of Vilda’s retaliation?
With all of the information concerning certain players backing down, it is critical to understand why. According to Andrea Pelaez, the rift inside the locker room is also due to the players’ fear of Vilda’s retaliation. Unfortunately, this would not be the first time players faced repercussions for speaking out against Vilda and the Spanish Federation.
During Quereda’s tenure as Head Coach, veteran players such as Vero Boquete, Vicky Losada, and others took the lead in directing the retaliation against the abusive coach. They were successful in dismissing Quereda. As a result, Vilda and the Federation removed them from the National Team, stating reasons such as certain players being better than them at the time. Veteran player Vero Boquete, who was doing well at the club level, was left out of the 2017 Women’s Euros, and Vilda’s explanations, such as “We believe there are other players who offer more,” were bogus. Surprisingly, the former National Team captain now contributed less than the others.
However, Vero Boquete’s departure from the National Team is not unique. Damaris Egurrola, a Lyon and Dutch international, was among those who openly criticised Vilda for being phased out. In an interview with El Confidencial, Egurrola called out Jorge Vilda, who revealed that he had summoned Damaris Egurrola twice to the Senior National Team. However, Damaris stated that while Vilda may be the coach of a national team, he has no right to lie. Egurrola is presently a player in the Dutch National Team.
“The last time I was called up was for these pre-World Cup 2019 friendlies, and there have been no more attempts to call up with the Spanish National Team. I was only called for the U-23. I understand that a coach has every right to choose his players, but that does not give him the right to lie. And I couldn’t keep waiting for a call-up with the National Team since, like any other player, I aspire to play in Euros and World Cups.” – Damaris Egurrola
The Jorge spectacle does not finish there. The calm and composed-looking coach on the field has gone so far as to threaten the Lyon player with legal action.
“For a call with the U-23, in which Covid devastated our team two weeks before a match against PSG, he did not understand my decision not to go when I was doing it for Covid reasons. We were just out of the quarantine of 15 positives. He threatened that he could take a couple of lawyers and go against the club and me and that he had no problem doing it.” – Damaris Egurrola
According to several Spanish media outlets, the players left Vilda’s sessions emotionally exhausted, with many breaking down in tears. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time this has happened, and while it happened more discreetly this time, Vilda has done similar things openly during the game. Damaris described her encounter with Jorge Vilda on the sidelines of the U-20 World Cup to La Confidencial.
“It was in the final of the Under 20 World Cup when he came down at halftime and told me that he didn’t like my game. At that time, we were performing very well in midfield and enjoying ourselves a lot. I remember I left the second half crying.” – Damaris Egurrola
Most recently, Real Sociedad captain Nerea Ezegirre spoke out against Jorge Vilda. In an interview with Radio Marca, the player spoke about her absence from the Euros squad.
“Giving explanations… I think it is better not to give them after this year because I believe there aren’t any. Each coach has their players and has brought in players who have hardly played all year. Justifying can be difficult, and, on those occasions, I think it’s easier not to explain. I think it has been seen in the European Championship that having the team that we have, the National Team could have reached other situations, and that has not happened.” – Nerea Eizagirre
The radio interview was broadcast before the team announcement for the World Cup qualifiers, and no one was surprised to see Eizagirre missing. When asked about the absence of Real Sociedad’s captain, Vilda said something that needs to be understood for oneself. He claimed that the soccer star understands what she must be summoned: “Nerea understands why she hasn’t arrived and what she needs to do to do so. I am confident that she will make good use of that knowledge in order to return “.
💬 "Dar explicaciones… creo que después de este año es mejor no darlas porque creo que no las hay. Cada seleccionador tiene sus jugadoras y ha llevado a jugadoras que apenas han jugado durante todo el año." pic.twitter.com/I27VTwgtDN
All of these incidents demonstrate why the players are afraid of vengeance from Jorge Vilda. Fans’ concerns are comparable to those of the athletes. Players who have spoken out against the coach and the federation will be moved out of the team in the same manner that Vero Boquete, Vicky Losada, Damaris Egurrola, and others will be because Vilda will not quit.
Achievements by Jorge Vilda in Seven Years
NONE.
What now?
Although there are players from other teams on both sides, everything appears to point to two-player “blocks” – Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Several players informed Irene Paredes that they no longer back her. Andrea Pelaez’s surroundings have contradicted it. It is all about the players not standing up and declaring they are behind her, rather than the players saying they are no longer behind her and she is alone. Paredes’ close circle claims she is shattered and feels deceived.
UEFA Women’s EURO. Pre-Match Presser with Irene Paredes. Photo by James Whitehead
Simply said, the media, headed by the federation, has attempted to alter the narrative. Instead of concentrating on why Jorge must leave, the emphasis has been on creating a distraction by exploiting the rivalry between the two major Spanish teams. On 2nd September, Spain will play a FIFA World Cup qualification match.
The pre-match press conference scheduled for 17:45 CET on 1st September was delayed by 15 minutes, with the press conference starting at 18:00 CET. Jorge Vilda spoke, as did captains Irene Paredes, Jenni Hermoso, and Patri Guijarro. However, Jorge Vilda talked for most of the press conference, emphasising that he only wants fully interested and dedicated players. Simply put, anyone who spoke against him would not be invited back to camp. When asked if he had contemplated retiring, he said he felt stronger than ever with the federation’s backing. That is sufficient to comprehend what has been happening with the Spanish National Team for years. It was Quereda before, and today it is Vilda.
When it was time for the captains to speak, who were only allowed to answer one question each, the entire squad attended the conference to encourage them. Irene Paredes, who has been fiercely criticised and singled out by pro-federation media, was outspoken at the news conference.
“You have to be brave to say things even if they are not pleasant for there to be a change.” – Irene Paredes
However, some of the captain’s statements also hinted that internal talks had caused Irene to tread cautiously at the news conference.
“We only want to improve as a team, but we are aware that we only play football. Nothing more. We know that there are going to be changes.” – Irene Paredes
What these changes will be is a mystery, but the long faces of the captains and the players in the press conference say enough about the situation behind closed doors. It won’t be surprising that Irene Paredes would sadly face the same consequences as Vero Boquete.
To summarise the press briefing, Vilda believes that being a coach and a sporting director can coexist. He just wants players that are really dedicated. Vilda also says how many players are waiting to be called up. He is quite unhappy with the players that broke the rules. The players, he claims, want to play, but the focus is not on football.
Final Thoughts
Everything happening within the Spanish National Team right now is the same as during Quereda’s coaching time. The federation thinks the Head Coach coaching the National Team is the best in the world. RFEF fails to understand that the players they have are world-class and the best in the world, but the coach is far from being a decent one. Patri Guijarro mentioned in the press conference, “We think we have a group that can win big titles.” And yes, they indeed do. However, with this coach and the federation who seemingly do not care about women’s football or the players, Spain is far from gaining any international glory. Ultimately, the World Class players will be cast out. And the show with mediocre results that satisfy the coach and the federation will go on. What has remained an illusion created by the RFEF will continue to stay that.
