De la Fuente and former pupil Scaloni set for World Cup final reunion

NEW YORK: Sunday’s World Cup final will bring an unusual coaching subplot, with Spain’s Luis de la Fuente facing Lionel Scaloni, the Argentina manager who once studied under him while working toward his professional coaching licence in Spain.

Scaloni was attending classes at the Spanish football federation’s training centre in Las Rozas, near Madrid, nine years ago as he began moving into coaching after his playing career. De la Fuente was one of the instructors on that course. Since then, both men have built notable records in international football and now arrive on opposite benches for the title match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Scaloni, 48, was appointed Argentina coach in August 2018, initially on a temporary basis. He has since guided the team through a highly successful period, ending a 28-year wait for a major trophy by winning the 2021 Copa America. Argentina then captured the 2022 World Cup, followed by another Copa America triumph in 2024.

De la Fuente, 65, took over Spain in December 2022 after their round-of-16 elimination by Morocco at the previous World Cup. Under him, Spain won the 2024 European Championship and later reached the final of the UEFA Nations League. Their semi-final victory over France on Tuesday moved them to the brink of a second World Cup title, after their first in 2010.

Mutual respect before the final

Both coaches have spoken warmly about one another ahead of the final. After Argentina’s 2-1 semi-final win over England on Wednesday, Scaloni reflected on his long association with the Spain coach.

"He was my mentor, and he taught me everything I know and now we are facing each other in a final,"

Scaloni said of de la Fuente. He also added “I remember after Qatar when we had a conference among coaches, and I had a chat with him for quite a while. He’s done brilliant work with his team, I’m very pleased for him.”

Scaloni has close personal links with Spain beyond football. He spent most of his playing career there, played for Deportivo La Coruna, and lives in Mallorca with his Spanish wife Elisa Montero and their two sons.

Even so, he made clear that those ties will not dilute his objective in the final.

“Of course everyone knows I live in Spain and have Spanish family. I’m very, very sorry, but I’m going to try to beat Mr de la Fuente. He’s gained my absolute respect, of course, not just because of the way that he plays on the pitch and manages, but also as a person", he stated.

De la Fuente responded with similar praise, pointing to both Scaloni’s achievements and his approach as a student.

"I have great respect for Lionel," he said.

“He has won everything with the Argentina national team. I agree with many of his ideas, I admire him professionally and personally. He is a great person", he stated.

“Lionel was a very diligent student, with a great attitude and interest. He had the touch of someone who is determined to grow. Being his teacher is an honor", he added.

The final will therefore pit two teams in strong form against each other, while also setting up a meeting between a coach and the former student who went on to become his peer on the biggest stage in international football.