Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announce the sack of women's national team coach Jorge Vilda weeks after winning the World Cup.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced that they have 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.
The 42-year-old took the coaching job in 2015 after successful spells managing the Spanish women's youth teams. He struggled for success in the earlier stages of his time with La Roja, but eventually led them to the Euros semi-final and won the World Cup.
Why Vilda was fired
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 from 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.
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.
Rubiales has since been provisionally suspended by FIFA, and General Secretary Pedro Rocha is now acting president with the blessing of the regional presidents.
Vilda's sack, according to the RFEF website, is a part of the new measures announced by Rocha as the RFEF strives to correct from within.
RFEF statement of Vilda's sack
"The Royal Spanish Football Federation, in one of the first renewal measures announced by President Pedro Rocha, has decided to dispense with the services of Jorge Vilda as sports director and women's national coach, a position, the latter, which he accepted in 2015.
"The RFEF appreciates his work at the head of the National Team and in his functions as the head of sports for the women's teams, as well as the successes achieved during his time crowned with the recent achievement of the World Cup.
"We value his impeccable personal and sporting conduct, being a key piece in the notable growth of women's football in Spain. During his extensive period, Vilda has been a promoter of the values of respect and sportsmanship in football."
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