I’m delighted to inform you that Jorge Vilda is thoroughly clapped out. The manager of Spain’s World Cup-winning women’s team has been given the heave-ho, after being seen heartily applauding the most excruciating speech in football — the one in which Luis Rubiales, president of the RFEF Spanish football association, invoked “false feminism” and “witch hunts” in an attempt to brush off having forcibly kissed player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips at the final. Coincidentally, it was the same speech in which Rubiales called Vilda the best coach in women’s football and offered him a new four-year contract worth 500,000 Euros (£428,000). Clap, clap, clap.
Not a great look when, as the team’s manager, it’s pretty much your job description to champion your champions. But then, according to allegations from the players (which Vilda denies), during his eight years in charge, 42-year-old Vilda hasn’t been the sort of leader to let little things like his players’ health and happiness get in the way. It might seem extraordinary that it’s taken a fortnight for him to be sacked after the applauding incident, but it seems to me his P45 should have been typed up years ago.
