Luis de la Fuente joined the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) as Spain Under19s manager in 2013, the same year Gareth Southgate became England’s U-21 boss.
Within two years he had won the 2015 European U-19 Championship with a squad featuring Mikel Merino, Unai Simon and Rodri.
By 2019, with Southgate by now England manager, De la Fuente had been promoted to Spain U-21 boss and led them to Euros glory with a group of players including Simon, Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo.
Then, in 2021, he led Spain to a silver medal at the delayed Tokyo Olympics with Simon, Oyarzabal, Merino and Olmo, plus Pedri, Martin Zubimendi and Marc Cucurella.
Every player mentioned above has featured for Spain at Euro 2024 and De la Fuente has them all dreaming of more success against England in the final on Sunday.
The 63-year-old does not have a long list of elite clubs on his CV, and there are other similarities between him and Southgate.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 11, 2024 من Evening Standard.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 11, 2024 من Evening Standard.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?
Winning the World Cup is the aim, so the new boss should start now
He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world
This is where the magic happens,\" reads a big neon sign scrawled across the entrance to the offices of arguably the most powerful man in British boxing today.
How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining
After arocky start, the glamorous and infamous restaurant is now an institution
Money is worth less than time'
He's quit Fendi, but what will Kim Jones do next?
London's Roman Amphitheatre
Guildhall Yard, EC2V
Liberals didn't notice they'd lost relevance in the all-consuming digital sphere
There are many reasons why Donald Trump might have won the election last week.
Do we have to die?
One neuroscientist thinks the answer is no
How to have a magical Christmas in Edinburgh
From cosy cobblestone streets to abundant Yuletide goings-on, few cities rival the Scottish capital in creating Christmas whimsy.
London's best festive restaurants
The social season is upon us once more. These are the city’s most coveted Christmas venues, which need to be booked soon so as to not miss out on the tinsel and tipples.
Rag'n'Bone Man
I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'
