David Gordo, De la Fuente's "apprentice" in the U21s who came from the mud: "Our bosses protected us from the scandals at the Federation."

Luis, Montse, Sonia, and now, David . The Royal Spanish Football Federation is clear that continuity in the coaching staff doesn't depend on big names like Raúl González, Fernando Torres , or Julen Guerrero , but on coaches who have worked hard at the Federation, in this case for 13 years. "They're betting on in-house people, who are familiar with the situation. Working with the players daily is a far cry from working ten days every three months, and I think that gives us a certain advantage," David Gordo , the U-21 national team coach, told EL MUNDO.

An advantage that, according to him, is reflected in the call-up and stardom of young players like Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams , and Dean Huijsen . "The fact that Luis de la Fuente knew these young players made it possible for them to make the step up to the senior team. Perhaps if an outside coach had come in, this situation wouldn't have happened. I think a footballer's life is getting longer because they're starting to become professionals much younger," notes a coach who values ​​his players both when they're stars and when they're fighting in the Third Division of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). "Each one is very good in their own context. The difference is the opportunity to dedicate yourself professionally to this and for someone at their right stage, like grapes that must be picked during the grape harvest at the right time, to believe in you," he explains.

Gordo is someone who comes from the mud. Pinto, Móstoles, Alcalá, and Vallecas are some of the clubs where the current U-21 starter trained as a coach. "I started on a regional dirt field, where I had to take my clothes home, wash them, and fill the bathtub in my house with mud before putting everything in the washing machine. And well, now I'm lucky and privileged enough to be able to work for the national team," he reveals, admitting that he misses the friends he made in those days.

"something I already knew"

But for mud, it's the mud he's experienced at the club where he's worked since arriving under Santi Denia in 2013. A powder keg, especially since the arrival of Luis Rubiales , which, oddly enough, they managed to dodge on the pitch. "Our sporting directors have been very protective of us. It's true that we read things in the press, but it hasn't affected us because we've focused on the sporting side. Those issues were of course important to us, but they haven't worried us," explains the coach.

It can't be said that his words don't match the results: a pair of Nations League titles, a World Cup and a European Championship, as well as Olympic gold and silver, and other titles in both men's and women's youth football, demonstrate that Spain's potential has been spared from the mess in the offices. Gordo was one of those present for the last gold medal in Paris, but as Denia's assistant, he now moves into the starting role. "In addition to being Santi's assistant in the U-21 and Olympic teams, I've also been the U-17 and U-16 coach. Keeping things in perspective, managing the group and all that is something I've already experienced. And the truth is, the lads and my teammates make it very easy," he admits calmly.

For now, the coach born in Alcalá de Henares 55 years ago has already begun to fulfill his role. Revolution and victory. It's true that the opponent last Friday was a weak Cyprus, but it gets more complicated if we consider that of the team Santi Denia left behind at the European Championship in Slovakia and lost to England, who went on to repeat the title, only Christian Mosquera remains. "The 2005 team had just won the U-19 European Championship, so yes, it's a new generation. It was time for it due to age. And I think with those who are here and others who could come too, we can put together a competitive team," says the coach, who tonight faces Kosovo in another match to qualify for next year's European Championship.

"Don't condition everything to the short term"

David Gordo knows his mind doesn't depend on the result in Kosovo, just as De La Fuente's didn't depend on the draw the senior team suffered in Scotland, which complicated their qualification for the European Championship, which they would later win against England. There was some commotion, and there may be more if the U-21s lose, but the director of La Rojita says he doesn't feel "that pressure" and is aware that De La Fuente or Denia didn't either. "The pressure is what any coach in any division feels. Because football has a very strong emotional component. Something that is very important is not to condition everything to the short term; this is a two-year process," he says.

Gordo approaches this project as the opportunity of a lifetime, the one he's always dreamed of since he was competing in the semi-professional categories. Now, he's transferred his desire to qualify for the European Championship and "do well" in order to then be in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. "I think it's good to have dreams and work towards them," admits a coach who hasn't abandoned the humility that has characterized him throughout his career. "I define myself as an apprentice of Luis , Santi , Vicente del Bosque , of all the people I've worked with here at the Federation, and of many other coaches," he explains.