Montse Tome was appointed Spain manager in September 2023 after having acted as Jorje Vilda‘s assistant until he was sacked during the Luis Rubiales scandal after the most recent Women’s World Cup. With this appointment, she historically became Spain’s first ever female head coach.
Her first six months in the position were successful, as in February 2024 she led her side to victory in the inaugural Women’s Nations League.
It was the disappointment of the recent Women’s Euro 2025 final which cost Tome her job, as Spain were defeated by England on penalties just two weeks ago.
However, it was likely before the tournament even started that Tome’s time was coming to an end, as the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) had not offered her a contract extension despite the expiration looming on August 31st.
The RFEF announced a new Women’s Football director, Reyes Bellver, in February. It was reported that she wanted to make deep structural changes, so this decision not to keep Tome on board comes as no surprise, as it does not align with Bellver’s plan to cut ties with the controversy surrounding the former federation chief, Luis Rubiales.
Sources in Spain say that the success of reaching the final in Euro 2025 delayed the decision to part ways with Tome, though a unanimous decision was agreed eventually.
Journalists and supporters are largely in favour of the decision due to her past position as assistant manager to Vilda, therefore part of the previously corrupt structure.
In their statement, the RFEF thanked Tome for “her work, professionalism, and dedication.” She will leave her role on 31st August upon the expiry of her contract.
Bermudez appointed as new head coach
Sonia Bermudez is a former player of the Spain women’s national team. With 63 appearances and scored 35 goals, she was named captain for the 2015 World Cup. She won nine league titles during her playing career which saw her playing at a number of Spain’s top clubs including Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Sonia Bermudez during the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2024 (Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
She had been head coach of the U23s until her promotion to the senior side, but despite this experience, there is some discourse over the RFEF’s decision. This is valid when considering how Bermudez also was involved in the poor culture under Vilda – although in the youth sides.
However, credit must be given for her success with the youth team as a coach. Furthermore, her assistant Iraia Iturregi is experienced and has an impressive CV having managed Athletic Club Femenino first team since 2021.
The new coaching team’s focus will be on preparing the highly talented squad to retain their world’s best status at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
However their first fixtures are the semi-final stage of the Nations League in October, another competition which they set out to win. A victory in this will really set the tone of Bermudez’s managerial campaign.
