East Rutherford (United States) (AFP) – Master will take on apprentice when Spain coach Luis de la Fuente lines up against his former student, Argentina's Lionel Scaloni, in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Issued on: 16/07/2026 - 18:20
3 min Reading time
Nine years ago, Scaloni was just another former professional player pursuing a career in coaching, studying for his pro license at the Spanish football federation's training center in Las Rozas, on the outskirts of Madrid.His teacher on the course? De la Fuente.In the years since, both men have gone on to forge successful coaching careers in international football.Scaloni, 48, took charge of Argentina in August 2018, initially on an interim basis -- less than a year after taking coaching lessons in de la Fuente's classroom. Since then the former Deportivo La Coruna player has led Argentina into a golden age of tournament success. He ended their 28-year wait for a major title with victory at the 2021 Copa America and then followed that up with the ultimate prize -- the 2022 World Cup. Another Copa America title was added in 2024.Over a similar period, de la Fuente has overseen a resurgence in Spanish football fortunes that has left La Roja on course for a second World Cup win, to set alongside their triumph in 2010.Appointed in December 2022 after Spain's insipid last-16 exit to Morocco at the last World Cup, de la Fuente, 65, has returned Spain to the top table of international football.A thrilling victory at the 2024 European Championship was backed up by a run to the final of the UEFA Nations League last year. Tuesday's semi-final masterclass against France has left de la Fuente on the brink of topping those successes with a World Cup win.Warm relationship
