Thousands welcome Spain manager Luis de la Fuente to his hometown

Spain national football team manager Luis de la Fuente received a rapturous welcome in his hometown of Haro on Sunday, following the team's World Cup triumph. According to Al Jazeera, citing the newspaper Marca, crowds gathered in the Plaza de la Paz from early in the morning. Hundreds of children wearing Spain kits were among those present to cheer, wave, and embrace the manager. De la Fuente spent approximately an hour taking photographs with fans. Expressing surprise at the size of the crowd, he was accompanied by his son, Alberto, who is a member of the national team's coaching staff. The event was also attended by the President of the La Rioja regional government, Gonzalo Capellán, and the Mayor of Haro, Guadalupe Fernández. De la Fuente, who left Haro at the age of 15 to join Athletic Bilbao, has frequently spoken of his emotional connection to the city, its streets, his school, and his early footballing peers. He stated that he was delighted and moved to be with his family and fellow citizens, noting that the atmosphere made him proud to be from Haro. The manager added that while he felt the support of the entire country during the tournament, receiving such recognition in his hometown was particularly special. He later appeared on the balcony of the Haro town hall, holding his medal and the World Cup trophy to the applause of the crowd. Reflecting on the achievement, he said he was deeply moved and struggling to find the words to express his feelings, noting that he could see a city united behind a single goal.