New Coach in Spain: Montse Tomé Out After Runner-Up Finish at Women's Euro
Montse Tomé will not have her contract renewed and will be replaced by former player Sonia Bermúdez, the Spanish soccer federation said Monday.
Another former Spain player, Iraia Iturregi, was named the team's second coach.
The decision was made by the federation's board members after Tomé led Spain to the Euro 2025 final, which it lost to England in a penalty shootout on July 27.
"The board of directors would like to express its gratitude for Montse Tomé's work, professionalism and dedication in her various roles during her time as a member of the national teams at the Spanish soccer federation, particularly during her time as national team coach," the federation said.
Tomé replaced former coach Jorge Vilda following the team's World Cup title in 2023. She led Spain to the title of the inaugural Women's Nations League in 2024. Her current contract with the national team was valid until the end of the month.
Tomé was the first woman to coach the senior women's team in Spain. She had been an assistant to Vilda during the World Cup and was promoted in the fallout of former federation president Luis Rubiales' nonconsensual kiss of player Jenni Hermoso during the World Cup's awards ceremony in Australia.
Spain has enjoyed some peace and stability since Rubiales was convicted of sexual assault for the kiss that ignited one of the worst crises in Spanish soccer.
The outrage surrounding the scandal led to widespread changes and improved conditions for the women's national team. Spanish society called for more support for women, and sports officials ultimately were forced to review outdated protocols related to the women's squad.
Bermúdez was a Spain captain — with 63 appearances and 35 goals internationally — and also played for Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, among other clubs. She retired as a player in 2020, and her first job as a coach was with a Real Madrid youth team.
Bermúdez had been coaching the youth squads of Spain's national team. She was currently with the under-23 squad.
The board that made the decision was composed of 30 members, half of them women.
Spain's next match is in October in the semifinals of the Nations League.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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