Spanish FA 'preparing to sack' coach Jorge Vilda after Luis Rubiales suspension

31 August 2023 , 16:08

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The RFEF are reportedly preparing to sack Jorge Vilda (Image: PA)

The Spanish FA (RFEF) is reportedly preparing to sack Jorge Vilda after he refused a request to resign as manager of the Spain women's national team.

Vilda led La Roja to victory at this summer's Women's World Cup however his tenure as Spain boss has been marred by controversy, with 15 players having threatened to boycott the national team last year due to his divisive managerial methods. Earlier this month, shamed RFEF president Luis Rubiales sensationally offered Vilda a lucrative contract extension worth €500,000 per year.

However, following Monday’s extraordinary meeting of the Commission of Territorial Presidents of the RFEF - who also called on Rubiales to resign - it was reported the contractual and legal logistics of removing Vilda from his post were being explored. And now, according to Reuters, the RFEF is readying itself to sack the 42-year-old following negotiations with their women's team.

Last week, a total of 81 players signed a joint statement sent via their FUTPRO union declaring they would no longer play for the women's national team until the federation leadership was removed. The statement came in response to Rubiales' conduct at the World Cup Final, with the RFEF president having kissed striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips in the aftermath of Spain's victory over England.

After refusing to stand down from his post, Rubiales was suspended by FIFA, while Spanish prosecutors have also opened a preliminary investigation into whether the incident amounts to sexual assault. Rubiales has been temporarily succeeded by acting RFEF president Pedro Rocha who has refused to confirm whether Vilda will remain in his post.

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"At this moment we can't say if he will or won't be the (women's) national team coach," Rocha said on Thursday. "We haven't spoken with him yet. Before anything we have to talk with him. We'll meet next week and give the news on what we decide"

Internal talks suggest that Vilda is set to depart, along with lawyer Tomas Gonzalez Cueto (external lawyer), Miguel García Caba of the Integrity Department and general secretary Andreu Camps who previously threatened to have Spain removed from UEFA in defence of Rubiales.

Luis Rubiales has been suspended by FIFA

The national team manager - who appeared to touch the breast of a female staff member following Olga Carmona's first-half goal against England in the final - was one of many high-profile FA officials seen applauding Rubiales during his sensational press conference in which he vociferously rejected calls for his resignation fuelled by “faux feminism”.

Following the mass walkout of his entire coaching staff amid a spiralling saga, Vilda attempted to distance himself from Rubiales. The coach went as far as to condemn the actions of Rubiales in a statement but refrained from dismissing himself from his position.

“There is no doubt that it is unacceptable and does not reflect at all the principles and values that I defend in my life, in sport in general and in football in particular,” he wrote. “I condemn without palliatives any macho attitude, far from an advanced and developed society.”

Beth Lindop