Jorge Vilda, Spain's world cup-winning coach, dismissed after controversy over the kiss of Rubiales and Jennifer Hermoso

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced its decision to dismiss Jorge Vilda as sports director and the women's national coach. Vilda had been the head coach since 2015. The measure was taken after the controversy generated by the kiss given by Luis Rubiales to the player Jennifer Hermoso.

"The RFEF appreciates his work at the head of the National Team and in his functions as the head of sports of the women's teams, as well as the successes achieved during his tenure, crowned with the recent achievement of the World Cup. We value his impeccable personal and sporting conduct, being a key piece in the remarkable growth of women's football in Spain. During his long period, Vilda has been a promoter of the values of respect and sportsmanship in football," said the Statement published by the Federation on its official website.

The federation explained that, since his arrival, the former technical director gave a remarkable boost that was reflected in the results obtained. "As a coach, he twice lifted the European Under-17 and also conquered the European Under-19, being the achievement of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand the greatest of his achievements. When, in 2015, he assumed the bench of the National Team, the national team was far from the elite and now it occupies the second position in the FIFA ranking," said the body.

Montse Tomé is the new national coach

After announcing Vilda's departure from the federation, it was announced that Montse Tomé was appointed as the new women's national coach. She will be the first woman to hold this position in Spain. "Tomé has acted, since 2018, as second coach within Jorge Vilda's staff and consolidated herself as a fundamental piece in the growth of the national team. The appointment of Tomé responds to the regeneration measures announced by President Pedro Rocha," the federation explained.

"The first test for Montse Tomé will be this September with the first two rounds of the UEFA Women's Nations League. On September 22, Spain plays against Sweden (leader of the FIFA ranking) away, and on the 26th of the same month, they will host Switzerland in Cordoba. These are two highly demanding matches against two opponents they have already faced at the World Cup, both of which were victories for the Spaniards," added the organization.

"I have a clear conscience," says Jorge Vilda

After learning about the federation's decisions, Jorge Vilda spoke with Cadena Ser and maintained that, in his opinion, his dismissal was unjust:

Much was speculated that Vilda's dismissal could be related to his applause for Luis Rubiales' speech in which he assured that he would not resign despite the controversy generated with Jenni Hermoso. However, after learning of Montse Tomé's appointment, videos spread on social networks in which it is seen that she was also at the event in which Rubiales gave the speech and applauded him.

On that scene, Vilda assured that she would never applaud something macho. "I didn't really know what I was going to that assembly for. I thought there was going to be a resignation. The president is valuing your work and announcing your renewal, that, I applauded. I also applaud Rubiales' management of women's football, with a budget that has increased fourfold. The rest, well, when 150 people around you applaud, it's very difficult to be the only one who doesn't," she explained.