Manager of Spanish women’s football team Jorge Vilda sacked in wake of Luis Rubiales kiss scandal

The manager of Spain’s women’s football team has been dumped after he enthusiastically backed the man at the centre of the “kissgate” scandal.

Spain's former head coach Jorge Vilda. Picture: Franck Fife / AFP

The manager of the Spanish women’s football team has been sacked in the wake of the so-called “kissgate” scandal.

Jorge Vilda led Spain to World Cup glory beating England 1-0 in the final held in Sydney in August.

However, he has been under scrutiny for backing controversial Spanish FA President Luis Rubiales who kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the celebrations.

That quick move has continued to rock Spain.

The now famous kiss. Picture: Noemi Llamas/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

In late August, Vilda, 42, had applauded Rubiales’ speech to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) where the president had defended his actions.

Rubiales in turn called him the best coach in women’s football and offered Vilda new four-year contract worth $840,000.

Days later, Vilda backtracked on his praise and criticised Rubiales – but did not call for him to step down.

Spain's former head coach Jorge Vilda. Picture: Franck Fife / AFP

‘Deepest regret’

On Tuesday, the RFEF announced Vilda would be let go.

“the Reef wants to convey to the whole of society and to the whole of world football its deepest regret for what has happened, which has tarnished our national team, our football and our society,” the statement said.

“The damage caused to Spanish football, to Spanish sport, to Spanish society and to the values of football and sport as a whole has been enormous.”

“The coach was key to the notable growth of women’s football and leaves Spain as world champions and second in the FIFA rankings,” it said in a statement.

“The Royal Spanish Football Federation, in one of the first measures of restructuring announced by (interim) President Pedro Rocha, has decided to let go of the services of Jorge Vilda as sporting director and women’s national team coach, the latter of which he took on in 2015.

Jorge Vilda’s sacking comes just weeks after he helped Spain secure World Cup glory. Picture: Franck Fife / AFP

“RFEF appreciates his work at the head of the national team and his responsibilities as the maximum sporting figure of the women’s national teams, as well as the successes reaped during his term, crowned with the recent achievement of the World Cup.”

According to sports network ESPN, Vilda was informed shortly after the RFEF released the statement.

Later on Tuesday, the body said Montse Tome would take over as coach, the first woman to coach the Spanish women’s team. She had been Vilda’s deputy since 2018.

FIFA and the RFEF have called on Rubiales to stand down.

Rubiales has apologised for his conduct but has refused to quit his role and has said the kiss was consensual. That’s despite Hermoso saying it wasn’t.