Luis de la Fuente 'could quit' as Spain boss just days after Euro 2024 triumph with shock new job lined up

Luis de la Fuente ‘could quit’ as Spain boss just days after Euro 2024 triumph with shock new job lined up

The Spain boss could be ready to move on.

Luis de la Fuente could step down as Spain manager just days after winning Euro 2024 with another job peaking his interest.

On Sunday Spain beat England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final to become European champions for a record fourth time.

La Roja won all seven of their matches and were undoubtedly the best side at the tournament, and a lot of the credit for that must go to manager De La Fuente.

The 63-year-old was hanging on to his job just 15 months ago, but since then he has built not only a harmonious squad without rifts in the dressing room, but a team that plays front-foot, entertaining football.

But despite winning his first major title as a coach, De La Fuente could be set to walk away from the European champions.

According to the Washington Post, the Spain boss is interested in taking charge of the United States national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The report claims that, less than two days after winning Euro 2024, De La Fuente’s representatives emailed U.S. Soccer to express his interest in replacing Gregg Berhalter as head coach.

The federation are currently looking for a new manager for the USMNT after Berhalter was dismissed following a dismal showing at the Copa America this summer.

The US hosted the Copa America as a sort of dress rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.

Luis de la Fuente could be tempted to leave Spain. [Getty]
Luis de la Fuente could be tempted to leave Spain. [Getty]

The USMNT won just one of their group matches and failed to reach the knockout stages of the competition.

U.S. Soccer are keen to appoint a top level manager who can whip the national team into shape ahead of the World Cup.

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was their preferred candidate, but he turned down their offer.

De La Fuente’s contract with the Spanish FA (RFEF) is valid until July 2026, and they expect him to lead the team into the World Cup that year.

It could be that De La Fuente’s representatives have contacted U.S. Soccer in a bid to improve his current terms.

Despite leading Spain to Nations League and European Championship titles, the former under-23s coach earns a relatively low wage, around a fifth of what the Football Association pays England boss Gareth Southgate.

Should De La Fuente move on, then former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez would reportedly be keen to take over.