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Luis de la Fuente Castillo (born 21 June 1961) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a left back, and the manager of the Spanish under-21 team.
He amassed La Liga totals of 254 matches and six goals over 13 seasons, with Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla.
Playing career
Born in Haro, La Rioja, de la Fuente graduated from Athletic Bilbao's youth system, and made his senior debut with the reserves in 1978, in Segunda División B. On 8 March 1981 he made his first-team – and La Liga – debut, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 away draw against Valencia CF.
De la Fuente was definitely promoted to the main squad in the summer of 1982. He scored his first professional goal on 26 March of the following year, netting the last in a 4–0 home rout of RC Celta de Vigo.
In July 1987, de la Fuente moved to fellow league club Sevilla FC, and continued to appear regularly in the following campaigns. In 1991, he returned to Athletic for a 20 million pesetas fee, but was sparingly used.
De la Fuente joined Deportivo Alavés in 1993, with the side in the third tier. After one full season, he retired at the age of 33.
Coaching career
De la Fuente's first managerial job was at Club Portugalete, in the regional leagues. In summer 2000 he was appointed at Segunda División B club CD Aurrerá de Vitoria, but was sacked in March of the following year.
After a spell back at Sevilla, de la Fuente returned to Athletic. Initially a manager of the reserves, he also acted as match delegate for two years before returning to his previous duties.
On 13 July 2011, de la Fuente was named Alavés coach, being dismissed on 17 October. On 5 May 2013 he was appointed at the helm of the Spain under-19 team, who won the 2015 UEFA European Championship in Greece.
De la Fuente became manager of the under-21 side in July 2018, after Albert Celades resigned. His first competition was the 2019 European Championship in Italy, conquered after the 1–0 final defeat of Germany in Udine.
Honours
Player
Athletic Bilbao
- La Liga: 1982–83, 1983–84
- Copa del Rey: 1983–84
Manager
Spain
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2019
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2015