In a decision many anticipated, a 30-member RFEF board of directors voted today to end the Spanish women’s national team’s partnership with head coach Montse Tomé after her contract expires on the 31st of August. Sonia Bermúdez was named her successor shortly after.
Former Star Striker
Bermúdez is familiar to fans from her work with Spain’s youth teams and, earlier, Real Madrid Femenino’s youth squad. As a player, she starred for Rayo Vallecano, FC Barcelona Femení, Atlético de Madrid Femenino and Levante before retiring after the 2019-20 season. She also earned 63 caps for Spain, scoring 35 goals. Barça fans will remember her as the club’s third all-time leading scorer, with about 141 goals, only behind Alexia Putellas and Jenni Hermoso.
Bermúdez joined the national team setup in 2022 as coach of the under-15 squad, later progressing to the U-19s and U-20s. Most recently, she led the U-23s before her senior-team appointment.
Expectations
Like her predecessors, Bermúdez lacks top-level coaching experience but brings credibility as a former Spain captain (including at the 2015 World Cup). She’s tasked with replicating her youth-team success and stabilizing a locker room rumored to be fractured under Tomé.
The RFEF also appointed veteran coach Iraia Iturregi as her assistant. The duo will aim to defend Spain’s Nations League title and contend for the 2027 World Cup, addressing weaknesses that cost the team at the Euros.
Big Shoes to Fill
Spain’s talent has been overshadowed by institutional turmoil. Tomé inherited unresolved issues from Jorge Vilda, who was dismissed after the 2023 World Cup amid off-field scandals involving then-RFEF president Luis Rubiales.
Tomé, initially Vilda’s assistant, won the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League and secured a 2025 finals berth. But after the Euros loss in Switzerland, calls for change grew—despite some board members seeing no clear justification for her removal.
Now, Bermúdez must build on Tomé’s results while winning over players and fans. With a strong staff and unified support, she has a chance to elevate Spain further.
