Montse Tome Takes Helm as Spain’s Women’s Soccer Coach Amid Jorge Vilda Controversy
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The Spanish women’s football team selected its first female head coach Montse Tome on the same day that her predecessor was ousted amid lingering fallout from football boss Luis Rubiales’ unwanted kiss on a player during the Women’s World Cup final. The country’s football federation (RFEF) declared that Jorge Vilda, the team’s head coach, will be replaced by his deputy, Montse Tomé, just hours after he was fired. Tomé will be the first woman to lead the women’s national team, and her first match will be against Sweden on September 22. The moves are part of a dramatic upheaval in Spanish football after Rubiales, the RFEF’s president, forcibly kissed forward Jennifer Hermoso on 20 August. Rubiales has apologised for his behaviour and described the kiss as “mutual” – a remark Hermoso refuted, claiming she was not respected.
🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 | La RFEF nombra a @montse_ tome
nueva seleccionadora nacional femenina.AdvertisementAdvertisement
La asturiana será la primera mujer en ostentar el cargo y se estrenará en septiembre en la #NationsLeague ante Suecia y Suiza.
ℹ️ https://t.co/fAlqVyWwvD #JugarLucharYGanar pic.twitter.com/vG4BtbGjAP— RFEF (@rfef) September 5, 2023
FIFA, soccer’s worldwide governing body, has issued him a 90-day suspension while disciplinary processes are ongoing. The RFEF stated in a statement announcing Vilda’s dismissal that he had been “key to the notable growth of women’s football” and that he leaves Spain as world champions and second in the FIFA rankings.” The move was stated by the federation as “one of the first restructuring measures announced by (interim) President Pedro Rocha.” Vilda had been the head coach of the women’s national team since 2015. “RFEF appreciates his contributions as the head of the women’s national team, along with his responsibilities as the highest sporting figure in women’s sports, especially after their World Cup victory,” the statement reads.
The Spanish soccer federation has fired coach Jorge Vilda amid controversy over suspended official Luis Rubiales, who kissed player Jennifer Hermoso without consent following Spain’s Women's World Cup win.
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 5, 2023
The RFEF did not give a reason for dismissing Vilda. pic.twitter.com/13nFC9ZBCC
Spain Appoints Montse Tome Following Dismissing World Cup-Winning Coach Jorge Vilda
Montse Tome has been named the new head coach of Spain’s senior women’s squad by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). This decision follows the departure of former coach Jorge Vilda, despite his involvement in helping the team to its first-ever World Cup title. Vilda’s reign has become more insecure due to a succession of controversies and protests from various team members. Last year, 15 national team players joined a revolt against Vilda in a spectacular turn of events. Only three of them returned to play for him at the World Cup. Throughout the World Cup, Tome was an important member of Vilda’s coaching staff, and it was her experience, combined with her personal rapport with the players, that encouraged the federation to entrust her with the top role. The situation deteriorated when the World Cup final revealed a scandal involving RFEF head Luis Rubiales.
During the championship presentation, Rubiales was spotted violently grabbing & kissing forward Jenni Hermoso. FIFA suspended him as president and banned him from all football activity for 90 days as a result of his irresponsible behaviour. Interestingly, Rubiales had always supported Vilda, even guaranteeing him a new contract after Spain won the World Cup. Tome, a former player at Levante & Barcelona who retired in 2012 to pursue a coaching career, has a successful assembly line of titles. Tome is a UEFA Pro Licence holder. On September 22, she will coach her first match in her new capacity against Sweden, the team Spain defeated in the World Cup semi-finals. Spain will then face Switzerland in their ongoing UEFA Nations League campaign on September 26. Following a turbulent time, this appointment represents a critical turning point for the Spanish Women’s squad. The team is looking forward to restoring its glory and creating a route to victory on the global circuit under Tome’s leadership.
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