The coach of the Argentine national team obtained his coaching license from the Spanish Federation. There, the Hispanic strategist was a teacher. This Sunday, more than five years after they crossed paths, both could be crowned champions of their respective continents.
A month of intense football is coming to an end. The Copa América and the Euro Cup are coming to an end. Both continental competitions have decided their finalists and only two, one on each side of the Atlantic, will become champions.
On this side of the world, Argentina and Colombia will face each other, while on the Old Continent, Spain and England will do the same. In this sense, There is a special relationship between two teams: the Albiceleste and the Furia Roja.
The coaches of both teams have a lesser-known connection. In fact, it was Lionel Scaloni himself who recalled that Luis de la Fuente was his teacher: “I took the coaching course with Luis de la Fuente, did you take it or are you discovering it now? ” joked the transandean coach to the press.
He also explained his preference for the Spanish team, because in addition to playing in La Liga for several years, his partner, Elias Montero, is of that nationality. They both met in 2008 and live in Palma de Mallorca. Even their children were born in Hispanic territory.
“I want Spain to succeed. Luis gave a big hand to the boys who did the (coaching) course in Las Rosas (de la Fuente), he helped us a lot . I like the way it’s handled and how the players take care of it. I had discussions with him and I wish him the best (…) Part of my family is Spanish and logically I am going to Spain “, added Scaloni.
The Hispanic strategist heard about the praise and responded: “I appreciate his public words, but I also pass them on to him. He is an excellent coach. ” he stressed.
“He is a real teacher, he is great. He has shown exceptional preparation and mastery of his work. He has won everything with the national team and has the possibility of repeating the title. I celebrate him because I have a great appreciation, I have a great relationship with him “, he stated.
His history
This Sunday, July 14, Spain will play its fourth European Cup, which would place it as the most winning team in the competition (Germany also has three titles). Meanwhile, Lionel Scaloni will aim for his fourth title with the Argentine team. It would be his second Copa América, which would add to the World Cup and the Finalissima. This day will mark 2,432 days (or just over six and a half years) since the start of his coaching career.
The transandean event was carried out with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), in the City of Football of Las Rozas, located in Madrid. There, he had Luis de la Fuente as a teacher.
Scaloni began training to obtain his UEFA Pro licence two years after hanging up his boots. He culminated an important career in European football at Atalanta. He made his debut at Newell’s and played at Estudiantes de La Plata, West Ham, Racing de Santander, Lazio and Mallorca. However, his best stage was for Deportivo de La Coruña. He was part of the “Super Depor”, which managed to win a championship, a Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups.
His career linked him to the country. There he took the course with other illustrious footballers in the field such as the Argentines Fernando Redondo, Leo Franco and Javier Saviola, or the locals Juan Carlos Valerón, Manuel Pablo, Albert Lopo, Carlos Gurpegi and Andoni Iraola, among others. This was accessible to those who had played at least eight seasons in the top category of La Liga.
They all had to go through a series of training courses to obtain the UEFA diploma and licence, the highest standard for managing on the European continent.
NOW, More than five years after their paths parted, the teacher and his most outstanding student could be crowned on the same day. And who knows if in the future they will be able to meet, personally or football-wise, both as champions of their continents.
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Source: Latercera
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
