Montse Tomé Appointed First Female Head Coach of Spanish Women’s Soccer Team
In a historic move, Montse Tomé has been appointed as the first female head coach of the Spanish women’s soccer team. Her appointment comes after the firing of former head coach Jorge Vilda on the same day.
Vilda’s termination was a result of the fallout over an unwanted kiss that soccer chief Luis Rubiales gave to a player at the Women’s World Cup final. The incident sparked outrage and led to Rubiales’ suspension by FIFA for 90 days. Disciplinary proceedings are currently underway.
The Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) acknowledged Vilda’s contributions to the growth of women’s football in Spain, but tensions within the team and between players, Vilda’s staff, and the RFEF had marred their success on the pitch.
Videos went viral on social media showing cold reactions from some players towards Vilda and his staff, as well as during post-match celebrations. This strained relationship was further exacerbated by a letter last year, in which 15 members of the senior women’s squad announced they would no longer play for the national team unless changes were made to the coaching staff. It is worth noting that only three of the signatories were part of Spain’s World Cup squad.
Vilda himself has faced controversy following the release of footage from the World Cup final, which showed him inappropriately touching a female staff member during goal celebrations. Initially, Rubiales had supported Vilda and even offered him a new four-year deal before the scandal emerged. However, Vilda publicly condemned Rubiales’ actions and apologized for the harm caused to Spanish women’s football.
With Montse Tomé taking charge as the new head coach, hopes are high for a fresh start for the Spanish women’s soccer team. As the first female to hold this position, Tomé brings with her a wealth of experience and an understanding of the unique challenges faced by women in the sport. It is an important step towards promoting gender equality within the sport and generating more opportunities for women in coaching roles.
With the ongoing disciplinary proceedings and the new appointment, Spanish women’s football is poised for a period of reflection, growth, and progress. The hopes and dreams of all those involved in the sport in Spain now rest in the capable hands of Montse Tomé as she leads the team into a new era.
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