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| Luis de la Fuente | |
|---|---|
| Name | Luis de la Fuente |
| Fullname | Luis de la Fuente |
| Birth date | 22 April 1961 |
| Birth place | Bilbao, Biscay, Spain |
| Height | 1.78 m |
| Position | Right-back |
| Youthyears1 | 1974–1979 |
| Youthclubs1 | Athletic Bilbao |
| Years1 | 1979–1987 |
| Clubs1 | Athletic Bilbao |
| Caps1 | 202 |
| Years2 | 1987–1995 |
| Clubs2 | Atlético Madrid |
| Caps2 | 236 |
| Goals2 | 12 |
| Years3 | 1995–1997 |
| Clubs3 | Deportivo La Coruña |
| Caps3 | 22 |
| Totalcaps | 460 |
| Totalgoals | 15 |
| Nationalyears1 | 1983–1992 |
| Nationalteam1 | Spain |
| Nationalcaps1 | 25 |
| Manageryears1 | 2005–2008 |
| Managerclubs1 | Athletic Bilbao (youth) |
| Manageryears2 | 2013–2022 |
| Managerclubs2 | Spain youth teams |
| Manageryears3 | 2022– |
| Managerclubs3 | Spain national team |
Luis de la Fuente (born 22 April 1961) is a Spanish former professional footballer and current manager known for his career as a right-back with Athletic Bilbao, Atlético Madrid, and Deportivo de La Coruña, and for managing Spain's national teams across youth levels before taking charge of the senior Spain national football team. He won domestic trophies as a player and led Spanish youth teams to international success, earning recognition alongside figures such as Julen Lopetegui, Vicente del Bosque, Luis Enrique, Andoni Zubizarreta, and Javier Clemente.
Born in Bilbao in the province of Biscay, he progressed through Athletic Bilbao's famed cantera alongside contemporaries from Basque Country clubs and academies such as Real Sociedad and Osasuna. During his youth he competed in tournaments featuring sides like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, drawing comparisons to defenders from Athletic Bilbao legends and youths who later joined La Liga academies. His early coaches included staff connected with San Mamés traditions and he trained with teams that played fixtures against Celta Vigo and Deportivo de La Coruña youth sides.
De la Fuente made his first-team debut for Athletic Bilbao in the late 1970s and established himself through the 1980s, forming defensive partnerships with players who later appeared for Spain national football team and featuring in derbies against Real Sociedad and fixtures at Camp Nou and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. He contributed to Athletic's domestic campaigns, playing in matches versus Valencia CF, Sevilla FC, Real Zaragoza, and RCD Mallorca.
In 1987 he transferred to Atlético Madrid, where he became a regular starter, competing in matches across La Liga and Copa del Rey ties and participating in European competitions against clubs like FC Porto and Feyenoord. His tenure at Atlético saw him play alongside teammates who had links to UEFA competitions and Spanish cup finals, and he was involved in encounters with managers associated with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
Late in his career he signed for Deportivo La Coruña, joining a squad that was part of the club's rise in the 1990s alongside players who faced rivals such as Valencia CF and Real Betis. He retired having amassed hundreds of top-flight appearances, competing in eras dominated by teams like Barcelona Dream Team and Real Madrid Galácticos.
He was capped by the Spain national team, making appearances in qualifiers and tournaments that involved matches against Italy national football team, Germany national football team, France national football team, and other European sides. His international career placed him in squads managed by coaches within the lineage of Spanish managers including Miguel Muñoz and Luis Suárez (footballer, 1935), and he shared team rosters with players who represented clubs such as FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia CF, and Athletic Bilbao.
He played in fixtures that were part of the wider European football calendar overseen by UEFA and featured in friendlies and competitive ties that contributed to Spain's preparation for tournaments like the UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup cycles.
As a right-back he was noted for his defensive positioning, tackling, and ability to support flank play in systems employed by managers who followed tactical trends from coaches such as Helenio Herrera and later practitioners in Spain. Commentators compared his style to other Spanish full-backs who combined defensive duties with overlapping runs for clubs including Atlético Madrid and Athletic Bilbao; pundits from outlets covering La Liga and international fixtures referenced performances against opponents from Serie A and Bundesliga clubs. His professionalism and consistency earned praise from former teammates and coaches associated with notable Spanish football figures.
After retirement he returned to Athletic Bilbao in developmental roles within youth setups, contributing to academy pathways alongside staff connected to Lezama and working with prospects who later joined squads at Real Sociedad, Athletic Club Bilbao B, and other Basque institutions. He later took roles within the Spanish Football Federation, managing youth national teams across age groups and guiding squads to success in tournaments organized by UEFA and FIFA, drawing comparisons with youth development figures such as Luis Milla and Sergio Busquets (youth coaching).
In 2022 he was appointed head coach of the Spain national team, taking over responsibilities from predecessors linked to UEFA Euro 2020 cycles and preparing the squad for competitions including the FIFA World Cup and upcoming UEFA European Championship tournaments. His managerial record at youth level featured victories against national teams like Portugal national football team, France national football team, and England national football team in age-group competitions.
He is from a Basque family in Bilbao and has ties to the community surrounding San Mamés; his personal connections include former teammates and coaches from clubs such as Athletic Bilbao, Atlético Madrid, and Deportivo de La Coruña. Off the pitch he has participated in events alongside figures from Spanish football administration at Spanish Football Federation venues and has been photographed with contemporaries who represented Spain at major tournaments such as UEFA Euro 2008 and FIFA World Cup 2010.
Category:1961 births Category:Living people Category:Spanish football managers Category:Spanish footballers Category:Athletic Bilbao players Category:Atlético Madrid footballers Category:Deportivo de La Coruña players Category:Spain international footballers Category:Spain national football team managers