Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente has received an honorary doctorate from the Catholic University of San Antonio of Murcia (UCAM), describing the distinction as an honour he had never expected.
The ceremony took place at the university’s Los Jerónimos church. De la Fuente said the award carried special meaning because of his Catholic faith and the values he shares with UCAM.
“I am very grateful to those who thought of me for this investiture,” he said ahead of the ceremony. “It is a source of pride and an honour.”
In his address, De la Fuente focused on the human side of coaching. He said he sees his role as helping people develop before concentrating on them as footballers.
“I have always said that I have a vocation for training,” he said. “I train people first and then footballers.”
He highlighted generosity, solidarity, sacrifice, teamwork, resilience and putting the interests of the group before those of the individual as values learned from parents, teachers and coaches.
De la Fuente also spoke of his pride in leading Spain’s national team, describing it as a source of unity for the country. He praised the welcome the team received in Murcia during its previous visit and said the city had shown particular affection for the national colours.
The coach briefly addressed recent Champions League results, saying he appreciated both Barcelona’s convincing win and Real Madrid’s comeback. “I value everything, and it is never easy, whatever the result,” he said.
