Spain Boss De la Fuente Slams Mourinho’s Referee Complaints

In Spain’s national-team camp, Luis de la Fuente has set a markedly different tone from the one surrounding Real Madrid after another contentious capital derby. The Spain coach has also received a personal tribute from Marc Cucurella, who fulfilled a promise by having his manager tattooed on his arm.

The news from the club

De la Fuente has criticised José Mourinho’s response to refereeing decisions in LaLiga, following Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat against Atlético de Madrid on Sunday.

Mourinho arrived at his post-match press conference with printed images of incidents from the match, using them to argue his case over the officiating. The defeat left Madrid fourth in the league, six points behind leaders Barcelona.

The Spain manager said that was not an approach he recognised, either in sport or in life.

“That is certainly not my attitude towards life or towards football,” De la Fuente said. “I have had to lose, often, and I have also won at other times. I have never believed there was a hand directing things.”

De la Fuente, a long-serving figure within the Spanish federation before taking charge of the senior side, led Spain to the 2026 World Cup title and has since extended his contract through to 2032.

Spain’s Nations League itinerary

The European champions face a demanding international window in the Nations League, beginning with a visit to Wembley.