The 2024 EUFA Continental Cup competition has come and gone with Spain emerging as deserved winners, taming England's Three Lions 2-1 in the Finals.
From start to finish the Spaniards were better than all the other teams in the competition so it would have been a travesty if England had won by any default or extreme luck .
The Spanish team was very young, talented and energetic. It was very businesslike and entertaining as well. The Manager was an unknown quantity in football but visionary administration in Spain entrusted him with the responsibility of giving the country a new team , one that can compete against the best anywhere in the world. Winning EURO'24 I dare to say is a rehearsal, precursor to their ambitions in World Cup 2026. They trusted this man Luis de la Fuente Castillo (born 21 June 1961) a Spanish football manager and former professional player who played as a left-back with their team as manager of the national team.
Here are his credentials:
Coached the Spain U19(2013-18), Spain U21(2018-21) , Under 23(2021-22) before he was moved up to the senior team, during the youth coaching, he won ???? U19 European Championship in 2015 and U21 to European championship in 2019.
He also coached the Olympic team to silver medal ???? in 2020, and took over the seniors in 2022 in which he has won ???? Euro Nations League 2023 and Euro championships 2024.
Find hereunder a list of players that played under him in youth level…..
Ferran Torres U19 ,U23
Olmo U17, U19 ,U23
Unai Simon(GK) U23, U19
Zubimendi U19
Pedri U23, U19
Pau Torres - U19- U23
Merino - U23
Oyarzabal- U23 -U19
No surprises that they formed the nucleus of his vision for the Spanish national team.
He started a production line that has proved very rewarding, lacing the team with some experienced players like Morata and Cavajal and of course the very precious Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, two players WHO WOULD STILL BE PLAYING FOR U-13 IF THEY HAD COACHES LIKE NFF often recycled Coaches Manu Garba , Ladan Boso and good for nothing Salisu . These three unproductive Coaches are godsons of faceless persons in the NFF are major impediments to the development and realisation of Nigeria's participation in Age-limited Competitions in the last 12-16 years or thereabouts.
They have nothing to offer our football but they always get assigned Coaching jobs for our junior national teams .
They will never become Luis Castillo or anything like good coaches . NFF should stop wasting time and resources on them especially as a cross section of football fans are asking for a Nigerian to be Head Coach/Manager of the Super Eagles even as some of us insist on the engagement of a quality foreign Coach.
My final submission, let the process of engaging Coaches for all our national teams be transparent, honest , purpose and ambition driven. There must be a plan, a sustainable plan that would deliver our dreams.
Spain's victory at EURO'24 is NOT by happenstance. They planned for it . So do not be surprised if they win the FIFA WORLD CUP in 2026.
Today's piece from me is dedicated to my friend, senior colleague, a great football buff, a promoter and club owner Mr Babatunde Kwame Ogala SAN alias Beekay whose birthday is today. Happy birthday Beekay . May the good Lord bless you specially today and always. Have a blast today mon Amie.
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