Luis de la Fuente wins Johan Cruyff Trophy as world’s best coach - RAW CHILI

At 65 years and four months old, and although collective glory will always mean more to him, Luis de la Fuente has received well-deserved recognition for a career built on hard work. The Ballon d’Or jury, organized by France Football, named him the winner of the Johan Cruyff Trophy, awarded to the world’s best coach. The Spain national team coach finished ahead of fellow finalists Luis Enrique, Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery and Vincent Kompany, earning recognition for three years of unexpected and historic success with La Roja.

The 2023 Nations League triumph set Spain on a path that led to victory at Euro 2024, where they defeated England in the final in Berlin. And finally came the biggest prize of all. An emotional De la Fuente lifted the World Cup trophy at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. The ceremony at the London Palladium will be a memory he treasures forever. Joining him in London were his trusted adviser Álvaro Torres, from the Gersh talent agency, and a delegation from the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF), including president Rafael Louzán, general secretary Álvaro de Miguel and sporting director Aitor Karanka.

De la Fuente’s route to the summit

De la Fuente embodies the triumph of levelheadedness and stoicism. Taking over after the turbulent end of Luis Enrique’s tenure, many predicted his reign would be short-lived after Spain lost to Scotland in his second game in charge of the senior national team. But nobody had more faith in De la Fuente than the man himself. He built on the positive aspects of Luis Enrique’s legacy and gradually shaped a squad he already knew inside out.

With very few exceptions, most of the players had worked with him at youth level. From Unai Simón, his goalkeeper, to Oyarzabal, his center forward at the World Cup, and Rodri, whom he definitively handed the keys to the team in Enschede and Rotterdam in 2023. Then there is Cucurella. And Olmo, a player who has been a constant presence throughout his greatest moments.

Luis de la Fuente wins Johan Cruyff Trophy as world’s best coach Luis de la Fuente, entrenador de la Selección, levanta el trofeo de la Copa del Mundo.Hannah McKayLuis de la Fuente: champion

De la Fuente has won in every possible way. By digging deep and holding firm, as Spain did against Croatia in the Netherlands. By playing with pace, energy and exuberance, as they did at the European Championship. And through masterclasses in game management, as he demonstrated at the World Cup against Portugal, France and Argentina.

But one characteristic has remained constant: the determination to take center stage, dictate the tempo and impose themselves on opponents. De la Fuente’s stature as a coach has grown alongside a Spain team that has surged to the top of the FIFA rankings and currently holds the European, Olympic and world titles simultaneously.

De la Fuente is a man who sticks firmly to his habits: his religious faith, his love of books about ancient Rome, his workouts at the gym and his passion for bullfighting. But above all, he remains devoted to soccer and the values he believes it represents.

That is what has brought him the greatest satisfaction on this journey: the way Spain has won, through hard work, collective spirit and shared values. Around the world, people have congratulated him not just for winning, but for how his team has gone about it.

On Monday, he enjoyed the ceremony in London. He approached it with the same unassuming attitude that defines him. On the morning of the World Cup final, which kicked off at 3 p.m., he spent his time calling the people closest to him, urging them to do one thing above all else: enjoy the occasion.

And everything worked out perfectly. Now come the individual honors. Luis de la Fuente, the best coach in the world.