Spain’s Controversial Coach Jorge Vilda On The Brink Of World Cup Glory
Spain will face England in Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final less than a year after 15 players staged a mutiny over their treatment. The row, which broke out in September last year, threatened to derail coach Jorge Vilda’s mission before an uneasy peace was brokered as the tournament neared. Here, Metro.co.uk provides background on what happened and the repercussions.
What is Vilda’s Background?
The 42-year-old is steeped in football having grown up watching is father Angel – currently head of women’s football at the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) – working as a physical trainer for among others, Luis Aragones at Atletico Madrid, Johan Cruyff at Barcelona and Jupp Heynckes at Real Madrid.
Having worked his way up through the age groups, he was appointed manager in 2015 following predecessor Ignacio Quereda’s departure amid player unrest.
When Did News Of The Row Emerge?
The RFEF – or the Real Federacion Espanola de Futbol – released a statement on September 22 last year revealing that 15 players had submitted identical emails withdrawing their services if ‘significant’ concerns over their ’emotional state’ and ‘health’ were not addressed.
Who Were The Players?
‘Las 15