New Spain coach De la Fuente: If anyone knows the future of Spanish football, it's me

New Spain coach De la Fuente: If anyone knows the future of Spanish football, it's me

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Luis de la Fuente was presented to the media on Monday after replacing Luis Enrique

A new Spain project started from scratch on Monday, with Albert Luque (technical director) in the operating room and Luis de la Fuente (coach) in charge of the engine room.

Alongside RFEF president Luis Rubiales, they spoke to the media from the Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas as the page turned on the Luis Enrique era.

De la Fuente, coach of the U19s and U21s previously, as well as the Olympic side last summer, replaces Luis Enrique after the World Cup elimination to Morocco in the last 16.

Here is what De la Fuente had to say on various subjects:

LUIS ENRIQUE

 "We have exchanged messages since the World Cup ended. He congratulated me. We have a very good relationship. A new chapter begins and all eligible players have the same opportunity. From now on, we will begin to take on board information and make decisions. We have an idea formed, but the doors of the national team are open to everyone."

CHANGE OF SYSTEM?

"Of course I consider adding nuances. There is a model, an idea, which is non-negotiable, but to which nuances must be incorporated to enrich it. We will try to grow and continue to improve. Football is constantly changing and we will try to cover our needs. The most important thing is being open to everything."

NO TOP LEVEL EXPERIENCE

"I was a professional player for 15 years, an international at every level except with the senior team. I've been with the RFEF for 10 years and I've been lucky enough to work with 16 of the players who went to the World Cup. With all humility and modesty: if there is someone who knows the future of Spanish football, it is me. That's my background and my presentation."

WOULD YOU HAVE CALLED UP SERGIO RAMOS?

"I was not the coach and I don't think I have to say if I would have called up Ramos for the World Cup. The national team's celiling? Now I want to catch up, coordinate with my colleagues and think about the first games. I am very optimistic, I have complete confidence in the players for the present and the future. My obligation is to believe that we can reach the top and win the biggest trophies no matter how difficult it is."

BUSQUETS' FUTURE

"We will try to be faithful to our idea and be better than our rivals. I like to dominate the game, have good players who solve individual situations, run through transitions... I hope to have the opportunity to do that for a long time. I would be glad if Busquets wants to continue, he still has a lot to give to Spanish football."

LEARNING HE WAS THE NEW COACH

"It didn't take me a second to say that I wanted the job. I don't want to analyse the past. We all wanted the best (for Spain at the World Cup), but it couldn't be. Football is very complicated and it's very difficult to win. We will do the analysis in private. Football is uncontrollable, but Luis Enrique's done a very good job."

GAVI AND ERIC

"We are lucky that there are players like Gavi who jump barriers. He has so much potential that he has developed at spectacular speed. He's an important footballer that I'm going to be lucky enough to coach now. As for Eric, I think he's a fantastic footballer who fits perfectly into our model. Perhaps, at some point, he was put under too much pressure, but he is a footballer who, with peace of mind and maturity, will perform much better."

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De la Fuente finished making an aside which can be read as a nod to the traditional media: "I want to say that I don't have social networks. Everything that comes from me will be through the media."

All that has to be known about me will be through the media."

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