The Fede Vidal era has officially ended. The RFEF has decided to resolve the situation regarding the national selectors by integrating the outgoing coach into the federation’s structure. This allows the incoming coach, Jesús Velasco, to be officially announced in the coming days. With his debut set for a friendly match against Portugal on November 6, 28 days after Spain’s historic setback at the World Cup in Uzbekistan. Which saw the team fall to fourth place in the FIFA ranking, behind six-time champion Brazil, Argentina, and Portugal.
The federation has also ended the unofficial overlap of roles that led to awkward scenarios at the Soccer City of Las Rozas and in the stands of the Andijan Universal Complex. Fede Vidal will remain with the RFEF but concludes a 6-year tenure as head coach. 2,221 days since his debut against Denmark a 10-1 on September 24, 2018. In that time, the Jerez native led 75 games, recording 59 wins, 6 draws, and 10 losses, the last a painful defeat against Venezuela a 1-2 on September 25.
Head Coach
Unlike his predecessors, he leaves without a major title. Javier Lozano, president of the LNFS, won two World Championships 2000 and 2004 and three European titles between 1992 and 2007. While José Venancio López secured four European Championships from 2007 to 2018. It was López who, as sports director, selected Fede Vidal as his successor. Though the two are not currently on speaking terms.
Spain’s quarterfinal exits at the 2016 and 2021 World Cups were followed by the team’s worst-ever performance, exiting in the round of 16 at the Uzbekistan World Cup. Spain hasn’t claimed a World Championship in 20 years, last reached a final in 2012, and last won a title in 2016, the European Championship. The Jesús Velasco era will officially begin on November 1. With his first squad list announcement ahead of a training camp from November 3 to 7 and a friendly against European champion Portugal. The RFEF has already circulated a preliminary list of “potentially call-up” players prepared by Velasco even before his official start, as reported by the press.
UEFA Futsal Champions League
In the UEFA Futsal Champions League, two-time champion Illes Balears Palma Futsal began its title defense with a dominant 9-1 victory over Croatian side MNK Futsal Dinamo in their opening Main Round match, featuring doubles from Manolo Piqueras, Bruno Gomes, and Thierry.
Their next challenge, led by coach Antonio Vadillo, who has guided the team to 17 consecutive unbeaten games in Europe, will be against Romanian team United Galati on Thursday. Followed by a match against Slovenian club FK Dobovec on Saturday. Meanwhile, current League champions Jimbee Cartagena began their European campaign with a 1-1 draw against Polish champions Rekord Bielsko-Biala. Gabriel Motta scored Cartagena’s inaugural Champions League goal, preventing defeat with a late five-man play. Coach Doubt’s squad will aim for their first win against Ukrainian team FC Hit Kyiv on Thursday. With their final group match against Belgian side RSC Anderlecht on Saturday. The top three teams in each group will advance to the Elite Round.