Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning head coach Jorge Vilda has slammed his “unfair” sacking.
Vilda was dismissed on Tuesday, just weeks after leading the side to glory in Australia. Pedro Rocha, the interim president of the Spanish Football Federation in place of the disgraced Luis Rubiales, made the decision despite Vilda recently being offered a contract extension by Rubiales.
The manager was the only member of the women’s national team coaching staff not to resign in protest of Rubiales, who sparked outrage after kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during Spain’s presentation ceremony.
Vilda was also seen applauding Rubiales at an emergency assembly the latter called on August 25, in which he passionately stated he would not resign despite the controversy.
READ MORE: Spain's Women's World Cup winning boss Jorge Vilda sacked after players and staff revolt
With Rubiales suspended, Vilda, whose own coaching methods have in the past caused huge uproar among his squad, was finally axed in the fallout of Spanish football’s latest scandal.
However, the Spanish Football Federation made no reference to the players’ discontent when announcing Vilda’s exit, instead citing his “professionalism and dedication during all these years”.
Vilda has now told Spanish radio network Cadena SE that his dismissal was “unfair”.
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He said: “In sporting terms, I am going to accept all the criticisms, but on a personal level I think it has been unfair.
“It has been a special year. Nothing has ever been said directly, but indirectly things have been said that do not suit me. Things have been said that are not true.”
Vilda added: “The explanation is that there have been ‘structural changes’. After everything I have achieved, of working hard as just another worker, I have a clear conscience.
“I have given 100% and I don’t understand it – I didn’t see my dismissal as deserved.”
Vilda’s comments came after 15 Spain players refused to play under him last year. The players made their concerns about Vilda’s character and training methods clear to none other than Rubiales, who failed to acknowledge their complaints.
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That led to the players formally announcing their decision to go on strike, claiming Vilda’s ongoing tenure was affecting their mental health.
Only three of the 15 squad members returned for this summer’s World Cup after being threatened with hefty suspensions, though the fractured relationships within the side were evident throughout the tournament, providing a huge contrast to their on-field success.
It has previously been claimed that until 2019, Spain stars were banned from locking their own hotel room doors before midnight. The rule was in place so that Vilda could carry out checks of their rooms before they were finally allowed to lock their doors and go to sleep.
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