De la Fuente was raised in Haro, in La Rioja’s wine country, famed for the Batalla del Vino, an annual festival where thousands wear white and soak each other in red wine.
After ending his playing career in 1994, he spent 15 years in various roles across multiple clubs, including managing in Spain’s lower leagues, working with youth teams, and serving as an assistant coach.
He was dismissed by second-tier Deportivo Alaves—where he had finished his playing days—in 2011, then spent 18 months out of work, drifting away from football.
His path with the federation began on a leap of faith when he spotted a newspaper ad for a youth coaching position with the Spanish FA.
He called former Spain manager Inaki Saez, who told the FA De la Fuente was ideal for the job. He received a three-month contract to lead Spain’s Under-19s at the European Championship in Lithuania.
Spain lost to France in the semi-finals, but his work earned him a longer deal. He then took Rodri, Unai Simon and Mikel Merino to the next Under-19 Euros and won it—setting the course for what followed.
De la Fuente became Spain’s senior coach in 2022, having guided much of the squad since their teenage years through under-19, under-21 and Olympic levels, winning titles along the way.
He has known Dani Olmo, Martin Zubimendi, Pedri, Mikel Oyarzabal and Marc Cucurella—and their families—for a decade.
His approach? Building a culture of respect—for opponents and for the process—while preaching patience and calm.
His life and work rest on sacrifice, humility and collective responsibility—sporting values that echo religious ones.
You see it in the small things. Half an hour before the Euro 2024 final, as the stadium filled, he phoned to check his family had arrived safely.
It showed again at this World Cup when the 65-year-old brought the federation’s photographer into a group embrace after learning, mid-match, that the man’s mother had died.
It was evident too—more painfully—before the semi-final against France, when a question about his own brother, who died three years ago, visibly broke him during the news conference.
For De la Fuente, family is paramount—the foundation of everything. His son, Alberto, is part of Spain’s coaching staff.