The 65-year-old manager attributed the achievement to the collective effort of his squad, stating, "Teamwork makes us invincible. This is a great honour." De la Fuente credited the success to the immense talent pool available to him, noting that the players put the team first.
His journey with the national team began in 2013 after he responded to an advertisement from the Spanish Football Federation for a youth team coach. He subsequently took charge of Spain's Under-19s before moving into the senior role.
Spain secured several major trophies under his guidance, including the Nations League, Euro 2024, and the World Cup. The team opened their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde before defeating France 2-0 in the semi-final.
In the final held in New Jersey, Spain beat Argentina 1-0 to claim the championship. De la Fuente described the award as recognition for a job very well done over many years.
He also highlighted Spanish football as a model for youth development, which he believes creates a path for future success. Pere Romeu received the coaching award for the women's category.
Barcelona dominated the domestic and continental scene by winning the Spanish league, the Spanish cup, the Super Cup, and the Champions League.
