The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has ushered in a new era for its senior women's soccer team with the appointment of Montse Tome as the head coach. Montse Tome's appointment is historic as she becomes the first woman to hold the head coach role for the Spanish women's national soccer team. The decision came just hours before Tome's appointment, marking a dramatic shift in leadership despite Vilda's successful World Cup campaign that led Spain to their first World Cup victory.
Montse Tome is replacing Jorge Vilda as Spain's women's football team coach.
Read more: https://t.co/Rz5JgFx3iX pic.twitter.com/3E5unEcVvX— SBS News (@SBSNews) September 6, 2023
Vilda's tenure as head coach had been marked by controversy, particularly last year when 15 members of the squad orchestrated a 'mutiny' against him. This upheaval led to a significant restructuring of the team, with only three of those players returning for the World Cup under Vilda's leadership. Montse Tome was not only part of Vilda's coaching staff during the tournament but also played a pivotal role in guiding the team to their historic World Cup victory. Her extensive experience as Vilda's assistant since 2018 has allowed her to establish herself as a key figure in the team's growth and development.
Tome, who retired from playing in 2012, initially pursued a career as a primary school PE teacher, focusing on nurturing the next generation of athletes. She eventually transitioned into coaching and holds a UEFA Pro License. Her tenure as head coach begins with a challenging match against Sweden on September 22, a team they defeated in the World Cup semi-finals. Spain's UEFA Nations League campaign continues with a match against Switzerland four days later.
Montse Tome is the first female head coach of Spain's women's national team 🇪🇸
The former Barcelona player has replaced Jorge Vilda.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/GxY77TZp4l— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 5, 2023
In the wake of the World Cup final, RFEF president Luis Rubiales faced severe backlash for forcibly grabbing and kissing forward Jenni Hermoso during the World Cup trophy presentation. This incident triggered a major scandal, resulting in Rubiales' suspension as president and a 90-day ban from all footballing activities by FIFA. Rubiales had consistently supported Vilda, even promising a new contract after their World Cup triumph. In an open letter, the acting president of the Spanish FA, Pedro Rocha, expressed apologies for the "enormous damage" caused by Rubiales' actions.
The RFEF aims to move forward with a fresh perspective under new leadership. The dismissal of Jorge Vilda, despite his remarkable World Cup victory, signals a new era for Spain's women's soccer team under Montse Tome's leadership. Tome's appointment carries the hope of continued success and growth for women's soccer in Spain.
