Future of Montse Tomé as a coach in focus: "Our last title win as world champions remains key."
Montse Tomé, the coach of Spain's women's soccer team, has faced criticism following the team's loss in the Euro 2025 final against England. Despite her successful tenure, which includes leading Spain to their first-ever Euro final, winning the 2023 World Cup, and the 2024 UEFA Nations League, her future with the team remains uncertain.
Santi Cañizares, the former Spanish international goalkeeper, has expressed his opinion on the wave of criticism against Tomé. Cañizares questions the approach of the Royal Spanish Football Federation and is unsure if Tomé is a magnificent trainer or not. He suggests that the results achieved should not leave room for doubt about Tomé's performance, but acknowledges that the tight results in the Euro 2025 final have led to criticism.
The change of Alexia Putellas before the ninety minutes and the choice of penalty takers during the penalty shootout are among the criticized decisions. Jenni Hermoso, a key player for Spain, responded forcefully through her social networks to Tomé's decision to substitute Putellas. However, Cañizares did not criticize the decision to take Putellas off the field.
Tomé's contract as the coach of Spain's women's team expires on August 31, 2025. Despite the criticism, there are no indications that her position is at risk. Tomé’s leadership is generally regarded as successful, having overseen a “golden generation” of Spanish women players who have elevated the team’s global stature dramatically in a short span. Spain captain Irene Paredes and star player Aitana Bonmatí publicly supported the coach and the team’s performance.
The loss, while disappointing, is widely seen as an unfortunate outcome in an otherwise extraordinary period for Spain women’s football. The semifinals of the UEFA Women’s Nations League against Sweden are on the horizon, and it remains to be seen if Tomé will continue to lead the team in the tournament.
In the coming days, Montse Tomé's future with the team will be decided. Cañizares suggests that coaches who qualify for the Euro Cup or a World Cup are usually renewed for two more years before the next championship. However, he also mentions that they fired the last selector even though they were world champions. Cañizares questions if Montse Tomé should be renewed for six years if the penalty goes in, and if there are doubts if it doesn't. He suggests that there should be more empathy with Tomé due to the tight results.
References:
- ESPN
- The Guardian
- Marca
- CNN
- BBC Sport
- Montse Tomé's future with Spain's women's soccer team remains uncertain, despite her previous successes like leading them to the Euro 2025 final and winning the 2023 World Cup.
- In the aftermath of Spain's loss in the Euro 2025 final against England, Sports analysts have been discussing the coach's performance, with some questioning if she is a 'magnificent trainer' or not.
- Despite criticism over certain decisions during the Euro 2025 final, such as the change of Alexia Putellas and the choice of penalty takers, Montse Tomé's leadership has been praised for elevating Spain's women's football team to a global stature.
