In Basque sporting culture, the team ethic is everything. They even have a word that defines the closeness and camaraderie that is the hallmark of their ethos. That word is 'cuadrilla', a word that implies much more than just friendship but rather a 'one for all and all for one' unity.
The previous eight years had seen him in charge of hugely successful under-19, under-21 and under-23 sides. He was not technically a Basque, but close enough to being one to the extent he was considered eligible to play for Athletic Bilbao for nine years between 1976 and 1987 and then again from 1991-1993.
Recently the Spanish Federation announced the renewal of his contract until 2026, to put to bed one of the anomalies created by the recent Luis Rubiales debacle. In the World Cup celebrations Rubiales, then the country's football federation president, planted a kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso - a kiss he says was consensual but she says was not.
De la Fuente's support for the disgraced former Spanish FA president in a meeting of the federation, where Rubiales' passionate refusal to resign culminated in the Spain boss being among
[
add
]
[
|
|
...
]