Spanish managers dominate Europe; in the last 16 of all three competitions, there were 11 of them, more than twice as many as the country with the second-highest number. In the quarter-finals there are three, more than from any other country. Time and again it is the Spaniards who are causing a sensation. Xabi Alonso ended Bayern’s dominance with Bayer Leverkusen. Unai Emery keeps bringing second-tier clubs to the fore, currently Aston Villa. Cesc Fàbregas is shaking up Serie A with Como and changing Italian football.

Guardiola’s long-running winning streak in the Premier League did come to an end last season. His team had lost its inspiration. Working on the same thing every day doesn’t work for ever. Now he is building something new in Manchester, evolving further and relying on different types of players than before. He was knocked out of the Champions League this year (by his compatriot Álvaro Arbeloa), but it is still enough for the title race and cup victories in England.

And then there’s Luis de la Fuente. He’s been working for the Spanish Football Federation for more than a decade, winning European Championships with various youth teams and in 2024 with the senior side. Three of the past five European Championship titles have gone to Spain. Not even Germany managed such dominance in the 70s and 80s. It was this era Gary Lineker was referring to when he said that in the end, the Germans always win. Nope, today it’s Spain. At this summer’s World Cup, De la Fuente’s side are of course contenders.