After weeks of speculation and a tenure marred by controversy, The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has finally announced today that Jorge Vilda has been sacked as coach of the women’s national team with Montse Tomé replacing him, and becoming the first-ever woman to hold the position for Spain.
Tomé was a player who had a 10-year club career and made four appearances with the women’s national team. She has served as an assistant under Vilda for the last five years.
The appointment marks a historic turning point for Spanish Football and the women’s team, with Vilda the source of significant discontentment among the team, with 15 players rebelling against him in 2022. Vilda also sensationally sided with Luis Rubiales after his sexual assault of player Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup final.
Rubiales defiantly told the federation “I won’t resign” four times in quick succession and claimed he was a victim of a witch hunt by “false feminists.”
He said the kiss with Hermoso was “mutual and with the consent” despite Hermoso’s very clear account suggesting otherwise.
Among those who applauded Rubiales’ decision not to step down was Jorge Vilda and men’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente.
Tomé’s first match following her appointment to coach will be against Sweden— FIFA’s No. 1-ranked team in the world — on Sept. 22 in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.