Spain have reached the Women’s World Cup final despite MUTINY within the squad over coach Jorge Vilda’s bizarre methods, which has left him celebrating wins alone… in stark contrast to England’s love for Sarina Wiegman
The difference between how the players of England and Spain feel about their respective managers is best summed up by their post-match celebrations.
After knockout victories at tournaments, it has become customary for England captain Millie Bright to hug boss Sarina Wiegman with a bear hug before lifting her into the air.
Bright went to do this after the semi-final, but Wiegman gestured for Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold to be behind her, so the defender waited patiently for her manager to shake hands with her opponents before making sure their traditional celebration was complete.
For Spain boss Jorge Vilda, there is no such routine, no love or appreciation from his players.
After Spain’s extra-time victory over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, Vilda ran onto the pitch. His players ignored him. A clip of Vilda clenching his fists, celebrating with himself while his players kept their distance went viral.
There have been deep divisions between Spanish coach Jorge Vilda and his players during the Women’s World Cup, but the team still made it to the final with England
It is in stark contrast to the affection the English players have for coach Sarina Wiegman
The divisions in this Spanish team are deeply rooted and predate this tournament.
Following the Euro 2022 quarter-final defeat to England, players set up a video call with Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Federation (RFEF) in August.
They were dissatisfied with their preparation for the European Championship and Vilda’s tactics during the tournament. They felt that his training methods were inefficient and his in-game management was non-existent.
Spain allegedly did little or no video preparation for England before facing them last summer.
There were also complaints about Vilda’s behavior. He is alleged to have created a controlling environment, with Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reporting that he forced players to keep their room doors open until midnight to check for themselves that they were there before going to sleep.
Vilda was reportedly in charge of closing the door and making sure the lights were off. These practices were discontinued after the 2019 World Cup following complaints from players, but there are still heavy restrictions on their freedoms in the camp.
Vilda’s scrutiny is said to be so over the top that he’ll check their bags when they return from a shopping spree, while also requiring players to say who they’re meeting when they want to leave camp, with all movements under strict scrutiny.
Talks with the RFEF were led by Captain Irene Paredes, Patri Guijarro and Jenni Hermoso, but Rubiales refused to fire Vilda.
Vilda was ignored by his players as he celebrated their quarter-final victory over the Netherlands
A number of Spanish players complained about Vilda’s overbearing methods
The ‘rebellion’ made headlines in Spain in the run-up to the World Cup
When news of the meeting was leaked, the manager reacted publicly, saying he was ‘hurt’ by the behavior of the players and that ‘what happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room’. But a month later, a mass mutiny broke out.
Fifteen players sent emails to the RFEF saying they would not be available for selection because the national team composition conditions affected their health and emotional well-being.
Paredes and Hermoso did not send emails because of their heavy involvement in the previous protest, but supported the players, who became known as ‘Las 15’.
Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas was injured at the time, but also publicly expressed her support.
The 15 players were made up of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Sociedad and Club America.
Spain has qualified for the final of the Women’s World Cup after beating Sweden 2-1
Vilda (center) gave a team talk after Sweden’s win before being pushed out of the festivities
Not a single Real Madrid player was part of the email that was sent, which is said to be partly due to the club’s pressure on their stars not to participate.
The RFEF issued a strongly worded statement in response, saying the ‘rebels’ had committed a ‘very serious offence’ by refusing to play for the country and demanded an apology from all involved.
Vilda’s position is strengthened by the fact that his father, Angel, works in the women’s football section of the RFEF and has a close relationship with Rubiales.
As the RFEF refused to withdraw, 12 of the 15 players who went on strike wrote apologies.
Only three – Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey were chosen in Vilda’s World Cup squad. Three protagonists Guijarro, Mapi Leon and Claudio Pina refused to apologize.
“It will really put me off not going to the World Cup, but my values come first,” Leon said in a statement.
“It is not a decision to be taken lightly, but my decision is clear. Mapi León has a way of life and values. I can’t go back if the situation doesn’t change.’
Players wrote to Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, but the football chief disagreed
Mapi Leon from Barcelona is one of the few who has not made himself available for selection
The players who rioted and who were not picked by Vilda and those who stayed away are now back in preparation for the season with their clubs. They have been quiet on social media and have not acknowledged their teammates’ success.
It is remarkable that Spain has reached a World Cup final after a year full of turbulence.
There is a sense that players are playing despite their manager, not because of him. If they were at full strength they would be the overwhelming favorites to win Sunday’s final.
The Australian squad may have brushed aside their differences, but their feelings remain clear.
At a farewell party in Madrid, the team was on stage when Vilda was introduced. Nearly half the team didn’t clap as he walked out as Putellas put her hands behind her back.
Spain’s Alexia Putellas made a frustrated figure after being eliminated against Sweden
After Vilda was ignored in the celebrations following the quarter-final victory, he was a little more involved after the semi-final victory against Sweden.
The post-game group where Vilda gave an impassioned speech seemed staged, but he was soon pushed out as players started jumping up and down.
England would not be in this World Cup final without Wiegman, their beloved and respected manager. The feeling in Spain is that their success has little or nothing to do with theirs.