Disgraced Spanish World Cup winning coach bags new job
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Jorge Vilda celebrating World Cup triumph || Image credit: Imago

Disgraced Spanish World Cup winning coach bags new job

Faruq Ibrahim 07:36 - 13.10.2023

Spanish Women's World Cup winning manager Jorge Vilda lands new job, weeks after getting fired by the RFEF.

A month after losing his job as manager of the Spanish women’s national team as a consequence of protested reforms following the kiss-gate scandal, Jorge Vilda has landed another coaching gig.

The 42-year-old led the women's La Roja team to their first-ever World Cup title after defeating England 2-1 in the final. He also led Spain to the semi-final of the Euros last year, but despite the success of the last 18 months, Vilda was fired.

Why Vilda was fired by Spain despite World Cup win

As Pulse Sports reported, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced that they relieved Jorge Vilda of his role as coach and director of the women's national team as part of 'new measures' announced by the interim president.  

Before the World Cup, 16 members of the Spanish women's national team put out a joint statement, taking themselves out of national team contention until changes and improvements were made, which included relieving Vilda of his role.  

The RFEF resisted this request, and Vilda remained in his role. Some of the players withdrew and made themselves available to be selected; however, only three of the initial number made it to the World Cup. 

Luis Rubiales and former Spain Women's head coach Jorge Vilda | X/@totalbarca
Luis Rubiales and former Spain Women's head coach Jorge Vilda | X/@totalbarca
Jorge Vilda celebrating World Cup triumph || Image credit: Imago
Jorge Vilda celebrating World Cup triumph || Image credit: Imago

With the incident unresolved, the bizarre action by the president of the federation, Luis Rubiales, when he kissed Jennifer Hermoso on the lips during the medal ceremony at the just-concluded FIFA Women's World Cup panned a heightened focus on the federation's women's programme.  

As a result of the backlash from the incident, Vilda was sacked, and according to the RFEF website, his dismissal was part of the new measures announced by the federation as it strives to correct from within. 

Morocco hire Vilda

Vilda has seemingly landed on his feet after the incident, as according to the BBC, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has announced him as the new manager of the Atlas Lionesses.

Vilda replaces French manager Reynald Pedros, who was fired by the federation after the World Cup, despite taking a great leap in the tournament as he led the Lionesses to the knockout stages in their first-ever Mundial finals.

According to the Athletic, Vilda is expected to be officially unveiled as the coach of the African nation’s women’s team next Sunday.

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