Aitor Karanka says Luis de la Fuente’s close relationship with Spain’s players has been central to the national team winning its second World Cup.
Karanka returned to the Spanish Football Federation a year ago and has witnessed the team’s progress from inside the organisation. Speaking to Flashscore at the Portugal Football Summit in Oeiras, the former Real Madrid defender and Jose Mourinho assistant said De la Fuente’s connection with the squad goes well beyond his role as coach.
“I’m also a technical observer for UEFA, and I worked at the Euros,” Karanka said. “Even before being with them, what I could see was that the relationship they have off the pitch is amazing.
“The players have known Luis for six or seven years. So for them, Luis is more than a coach. He’s a coach, he’s a father, he’s a friend, he’s someone they can trust, and they have created that relationship.
“When you have that relationship with the players, and the players have the talent that they have, I’m not going to say it’s easy, but it’s a little bit easier.”
Karanka said he had already noticed the strength of the group before joining the federation, but that the atmosphere had been even clearer during his time working with the squad.
“I noticed it two years ago before being there, and now that I’m living it day by day with them, every single training camp is amazing because, again, they are really, really good kids,” he said.
He believes De la Fuente’s character has complemented Spain’s considerable depth of talent.
“We are lucky because we are a country with a lot of talented players,” Karanka said. “And then you find a coach who is a very good coach, but also a top, top, top man.
“His values, his attitude, the way he transmits everything is amazing. When you have that mix between human values and talented players, again, it’s easier.”
Spain’s coaching system
Spain’s success has also been reflected in the growing number of Spanish coaches working at leading clubs across Europe, including in the Premier League.
Karanka believes the foundations are laid well below the elite level, with coaching education allowing young players to develop under high-quality guidance.
“I think that is the biggest success in Spain: coaching education,” he said. “We have very good coaches. You mentioned those at the top of the game worldwide, but the level of the coaches in the academies and youth categories is also amazing.
“So coaching education in Spain is, I think, the key to producing this kind of talented player.”
Karanka also reflected on Mourinho, having worked alongside him at Real Madrid 15 years ago. While the club, league and expectations have changed, he believes Mourinho’s fundamental qualities remain intact.
“I think his essence is the same,” Karanka said. “Everybody says he has changed, but when you know him, Jose is Jose is Jose.
“Of course, 15 years later, Real Madrid is different, the league is different, the demands are different.
“But what I can say is that Jose will definitely bring the best out of every single player, which is the most important thing at Real Madrid. Because as a coach, when you bring the best out of Real Madrid players, they are the best players in the world.”