Spain’s Ex-Coach Breaks Silence: De La Fuente Deserves Backing, Vinícius Earns a Rant, And Yamal’s Future Is in Focus

Spain’s Ex-Coach Breaks Silence: De La Fuente Deserves Backing, Vinícius Earns a Rant, And Yamal’s Future Is in Focus

Javier Clemente, the former Spain national team coach, offered a candid appraisal of several hot topics roiling Spanish football. He weighed in with clear positions and a touch of veteran bluntness.

First, he passionately defended Luis de la Fuente, Spain's current coach, against growing criticism. On the other hand, he reserved his sharpest words for Vinícius Júnior's conduct in the most recent Clasico, calling it ugly and evidence of a lack of football culture.

In an interview with AS, Clemente assessed Spain's World Cup prospects, noting that La Roja are not necessarily the overwhelming favorite for the second star, but remain among a group of five or six sides capable of competing for the title.

He stressed that a team's core philosophy has remained intact from the youth sides through the senior team, a continuity he sees as a strength heading into major tournaments.

Turning to De La Fuente's World Cup squad, he argued that the coach has already locked in around 20 of 25 or 26 players, with roughly 14 to 15 others vying for the remainder of the spots.

He contrasted the personalities of De La Fuente and Luis Enrique, noting that Enrique tends toward dynamism and decisiveness, while De La Fuente is calm and balanced—traits, in Clemente's view, that suit a high-pressure job.

Clemente defended De La Fuente against early dismissals, reminding critics of his earlier successes with Spain's youth teams and the Olympic side, and arguing that those achievements justify his tenure at the helm of the senior team.

On the broader debate about De La Fuente and the senior team's approach, he asserted that the results across various age groups demonstrate a coherent, effective method that should continue to guide the national side forward.

Regarding the clash over Lamine Yamal's injury and public remarks by Barcelona's coach and the PSG rival, Clemente suggested that Xavi's contemporary, Hans Flick, appears respectful, but that De La Fuente's comments were sometimes blown out of proportion; he insisted no insult was intended.

He also reflected on his own experience with injured players, describing times when he took players with limited recovery time to medical staff, and noting there were rarely problems with clubs about that approach.

Asked for direct counsel to Yamal, he declined, arguing that every player must own their choices and responsibilities. Yet he warned about the immense pressure young talents face and urged caution against rushing players before medical checks, especially amid ongoing physical development.

In a forceful aside, he criticized Vinícius Júnior again for his post-substitution behavior in the Clasico, insisting what he did was "ugly, very ugly" and symptomatic of a wider cultural gap in footballing norms. He added he had rarely seen such episodes in his long career, save for a distant disagreement with Manolo Sarabía over playing time, not substitutions.

The Clasico episode was followed by commentary on Vinícius's public exchange with Xabi Alonso, noting the Madrid star's frustration but avoiding a second-guessing of Alonso's management.

On La Liga's trajectory, Clemente argued that it is still early to name a clear champion, with Real Madrid and Barcelona remaining the likely frontrunners, echoing the view once voiced by the late Luis Aragonés about season phases: cling near the top early, establish position in the second half, then surge toward the title.

Regarding a separate defensive philosophy, he acknowledged the limits of offering guidance to a coach of Hans Flick's stature, but recalled a moment when he questioned Quique Setién's remarks about José Bordalás, which he felt were inappropriate and unhelpful.

He also highlighted how Bordalás has often faced unfair criticism despite his professionalism and track record of work ethic and discipline.

Looking back at his time with Xabi Alonso at Real Sociedad, Clemente described giving him an early Copa del Rey opportunity and recognizing a standout talent from the start, later advising a move to Eibar to secure regular minutes.

He praised Alonso's character, arguing that the former pupil has grown into a formidable player and coach, and that heading Real Madrid's bench should not scare any manager who possesses a strong personality.

He wrapped with a note on Siltón Sánchez, a rising jewel at Athletic Bilbao, whom he watched recently and who showed promise, but who must play weekly and face the caution of clubs rushing young players after Yamal's breakout season.

A Storied Career

Clemente is widely regarded as one of the most influential coaches in Spanish football history. Born in 1950 in Biscay, he began as a defender at Athletic Bilbao but a career-ending injury at 24 shifted his path to coaching.

He quickly established himself at Athletic Bilbao, steering the club to back-to-back La Liga titles in 1983 and 1984 and a Copa del Rey, cementing his reputation for rigorous defense and precise organization.

In 1992 he took charge of Spain, guiding the national team through World Cup campaigns in 1994 and 1998 and Euro 1996, imprinting discipline and competitiveness during a period of transition.

After stepping down from the national team, his coaching travels included stints with Serbia, Cameroon, Libya, Espanyol, Real Betis, and Real Sociedad, all while preserving his cutting rhythm and forthright voice.

Today Clemente stands as a touchstone of classical Spanish coaching—a figure who built tough, organized teams with limited resources and who remains a touchstone in the history of La Roja.

Punchline 1: In his playbook, defense isn't just a tactic, it's a lifestyle—offense is a guest who only shows up when the landlord allows it.

Punchline 2: If football ever runs for president, Clemente would win on points: he talks less, but the results would still land a knockout.