Spain's football federation, RFEF, announced on Tuesday that Montse Tome has been appointed as the new head coach of the women's national team, succeeding Jorge Vilda, who was dismissed. This historic appointment makes her the first woman to lead the team.
Tome had been Vilda's assistant coach since 2018 and has since "established herself as a key player in the national team's growth", the RFEF said in a statement.
Earlier on Tuesday, the contract of Jorge Vilda was terminated by the newly formed board of the federation. This development occurred following the suspension of RFEF President Luis Rubiales by FIFA. The suspension stemmed from an alleged non-consensual kiss between Rubiales and a Spanish player during the Women's World Cup victory celebration two weeks ago.
Jorge Vilda, the former coach of Spain's women's national soccer team, found himself at the center of a storm that ultimately led to his dismissal. The catalyst for his removal was the suspension of RFEF President Luis Rubiales by FIFA due to an alleged non-consensual kiss during the Women's World Cup victory celebration just two weeks ago.
The incident drew widespread attention and criticism, casting a shadow over the team's remarkable achievement. The suspension of President Rubiales prompted a reshuffle within the football federation, resulting in the formation of a new board. This new leadership acted swiftly to terminate Vilda's contract, signaling a desire for a fresh start and a commitment to addressing the controversy surrounding the national team.
While Jorge Vilda's tenure as coach had seen success on the field, this unfortunate episode involving the alleged non-consensual kiss proved to be a turning point, ultimately leading to his dismissal. The decision reflects the importance of maintaining a respectful and professional environment in sports, irrespective of the achievements on the field.
