RFEF Decision on Montse Tomé
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has opted not to extend the contract of Montse Tomé, who has been at the helm of the women’s national team. Her current contract is set to expire on August 31. This decision follows a disappointing performance by Spain in the Euro 2025 final against England, where they were seen as favorites but ultimately lost in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 tie after extra time.
Criticism and Controversy
In that critical match, Spain succeeded in converting only one penalty kick, a stark contrast to their earlier successes in the tournament. Criticism was directed towards Tomé’s decisions during the final, particularly her choice to substitute Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or recipient, in the 71st minute.
Tomé, who is 43 years old and a former international player for Spain, previously served as an assistant coach to Jorge Vilda during the team’s 2023 Women’s World Cup triumph. She was promoted to head coach in September 2023 following Vilda’s dismissal, a fallout from a controversial incident involving former federation president Luis Rubiales and player Jenni Hermoso.
New Leadership
The RFEF has announced Sonia Bermúdez, the under-23 team coach, as Tomé’s replacement. Bermúdez, an ex-international herself, has experience playing for clubs such as Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Levante. Under her leadership, the Spain U23 team performed well this past season. In their statement, the RFEF acknowledged Tomé’s dedication and professionalism during her time with the national teams.
Recent Achievements
Notably, Tomé led Spain to victory in the UEFA Women’s Nations League by defeating France in the final in February 2024. Following their recent triumphs, Spain climbed to the top of FIFA’s women’s rankings, surpassing the United States. The Spanish team is set to return to competitive action in October, facing Sweden in the UEFA Nations League semifinals.
