Spain boss Luis de la Fuente praises Cucurella’s loyalty and names future coaching candidates

Luis de la Fuente has highlighted the importance of unity within Spain’s dressing room, saying solidarity, commitment and team spirit are essential for competing at the highest level.

The Spain manager made the comments in an interview with El Mundo, with newspaper Sport publishing several of the most notable parts of the conversation. His answers focused heavily on the relationships between players and the values he believes help create a strong team environment.

De la Fuente was asked about Marc Cucurella’s tattoo of the manager’s face, and praised the Chelsea defender for keeping a promise.

“Cucurella’s tattoo with my face on it? He kept his word, and that is also a very important principle and value. He is a man who keeps his promises,” said De la Fuente.

The manager was then questioned about which Spain player he would choose to spend a week on holiday with. He did not take long to decide.

“If I want to have fun, I will go with Cucurella,” he replied.

When asked which player he would choose for an evening of celebration and staying out late, De la Fuente again selected the same defender.

“Since I am going on holiday with him, I will take him with me as well,” he said, laughing.

The exchange underlined the close relationship De la Fuente says he has built with the members of his squad, while also reflecting the informal spirit he considers important within the group.

The Spain manager was also asked about several other players. He said he would leave his house keys with Mikel Oyarzabal, while revealing that he would enter a business project with Mikel Merino.

De la Fuente described Merino as a “very serious” person who has a strong sense of responsibility.

He also said he would attend a concert by singer Julio Iglesias with Marcos Llorente.

The manager was finally asked to identify players he believes have the qualities required to become coaches in the future. He named three members of the Spain squad.

“Rodri, Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino have good qualities to become coaches,” said De la Fuente.

His comments came as part of a wider discussion about the personal qualities required to build a cohesive dressing room. For De la Fuente, the ability to create trust, honour commitments and maintain a strong sense of team spirit is a fundamental part of challenging for success at the highest level.