Jorge Vilda looks at his dismissal as coach of the Spanish soccer world champions with incomprehension.
“I gave 100 percent and I don’t understand it. I don’t think my dismissal was deserved,” the 42-year-old told radio station “Cadena Ser” after the Spanish association RFEF announced the split on Tuesday. He was “wrongly” dismissed.
In the course of the kiss scandal surrounding the suspended association boss Luis Rubiales, Vilda’s position was also questioned. Even before winning the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the ex-coach was considered controversial and a close ally of Rubiales.
15 players went on strike against Vilda in September 2022 to protest the coach’s methods. However, the association held on to him.
“After everything we’ve achieved, after giving absolutely everything, I have a clear conscience,” said the Spaniard. He also defended his applause following Rubiales’ much criticized defense speech at an RFEF gathering.
He applauded being offered a contract extension and salary increase. “I will never applaud anything macho,” said Vilda.
He also emphasized that national player Jennifer Hermoso, who had been kissed on the mouth by Rubiales at the award ceremony after the World Cup final success, was suffering. He hasn’t spoken to her lately, but he knows “she’s going through a tough time, I know her family is going through a tough time, and I know she’s waiting for it all to be over,” Vilda said.