After a long playing career with Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao, Luis de la Fuente worked as an academy coach at both clubs before an unsuccessful three months as Alaves manager in 2011. The 62-year-old has coached Spain's youth teams since 2013, leading La Roja to a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. He succeeded Luis Enrique after Spain's disappointing last-16 exit at the 2022 World Cup, winning the Nations League in June 2023.