Sevilla FC has shared images of Luis De la Fuente and Lionel Scaloni, the two coaches who will compete in the World Cup final. Both had a key connection with the Nervión club in their careers.
Sevilla FC has once again taken centre stage in the lead-up to the World Cup final that will see Spain face Argentina this Sunday in New York. The Seville club published a series of photographs of the two coaches, Luis De la Fuente and Lionel Scaloni, on its social media this Thursday, with a clear message: “From the Sevilla bench to competing in a World Cup final.” Both coaches share a past in Nervión that marked a before and after in their careers.
De la Fuente, a Sevilla fan at heart
The bond between Luis De la Fuente and Sevilla is particularly deep. He arrived as a player in 1987 and wore the white and red shirt for four seasons. After hanging up his boots, he returned to the club to coach the youth team from 2001 to 2005, where he trained young talents like Jesús Navas, Antonio Puerta, and Sergio Ramos. His relationship with the full-back from Los Palacios was especially close, and together they won the Nations League and the last Euro Cup before Navas's retirement.
During his time in Sevilla, De la Fuente became a regular at the Basílica del Cachorro, always showing his most devout side. His figure has also drawn attention for his excellent physical condition, which he maintains despite the years since his time on the Sevilla bench.
Scaloni, the fleeting spell that changed everything
In the case of Lionel Scaloni, his time as a Sevilla player was shorter but equally significant. During the 2016-2017 season, he was the assistant to Jorge Sampaoli at Sevilla. That team achieved a record points total in the first half of the league and completed an immaculate group stage in the Champions League, until Leicester City eliminated them in the round of 16. The second half of the campaign was not as bright, and both Sampaoli and Scaloni headed to the Argentine national team. After Sampaoli's departure, Scaloni took over on a provisional basis and, against all odds, has remained until now, leading Argentina to the World Cup final.
The sporting director of Sevilla, José Ignacio Navarro, congratulated De la Fuente yesterday on reaching the final, demonstrating that the alliance between the club and the coaches endures over time. For Sevilla fans, seeing two coaches with a past in Nervión facing off in a World Cup final is a source of pride.
A pride for Sevilla fans
The Sevilla publication on social media has had a significant impact among followers, who have highlighted the club's role as a cradle of technical talent. “It is an honour that two of the best coaches in the world have passed through here,” some users commented. The final on Sunday, which will take place at the MetLife Stadium in New York, will feature two very different playing styles: De la Fuente's, based on possession and high pressing, and Scaloni's, more pragmatic and lethal on the counterattack.
For Sevilla FC, this coincidence reinforces its image as a training club and an international reference. Meanwhile, Sevilla fans are already preparing to enjoy a duel that, in a way, is also theirs.
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