Coach was not considered an exciting appointment but he has delivered silverware and now another final

The night before Spain’s first game at Euro 2024, Josko Gvardiol was asked something about Luis de la Fuente, to which he replied: “Who?” Croatia’s press officer came to his rescue but if the defender felt a bit embarrassed, the truth is that back then he wouldn’t have been alone in not instantly recognising the name, or knowing much about the coach of the selección, their opponents the following day. It hadn’t been all that long since even some in Spain might have said something similar.

Born in Haro, La Rioja, which he reckons is the best place on Earth, De la Fuente is proud to be Spanish, Catholic and a bullfighting ­aficionado. He likes eggs and chips, is built like a brick outhouse and sleeps around four hours a night. His dad was a sailor, he loves the Rocky films and he’s fascinated by Rome, reading everything he can. He’s into Julio Iglesias, and his favourite song is probably Quijote. He led Spain to their first trophy in more than a decade and now, a month on from that press conference and in the same stadium, he takes them into the final of Euro 2024.