Change is in the air for Spain’s women’s national football team, and it’s coming hot on the heels of a dramatic summer on the European stage. Just two weeks after a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to England in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) has announced that Montse Tomé will be stepping down as head coach when her contract expires on August 31, 2025. The decision marks the end of Tomé’s tenure at the helm, a chapter filled with both triumph and tribulation for La Roja.
Tomé’s departure isn’t a shock to keen observers of Spanish football, but the timing and circumstances have set tongues wagging across the footballing world. After taking over less than two years ago, Tomé’s journey with the senior team has been a whirlwind. She succeeded Jorge Vilda in 2023, having served as his assistant since 2018. The expectations were sky-high, especially following Spain’s historic rise in global women’s football. Yet, as the dust settles on a summer of near-misses, the federation’s patience appears to have run out.
The RFEF’s decision not to renew Tomé’s contract was confirmed on Monday, August 11, 2025, just days after the Euro 2025 final loss in Switzerland. In a formal statement, the federation expressed gratitude for her years of service: “The Board of Directors... would like to thank Montse Tomé for her work, professionalism and dedication in various roles during her time as a member of the national teams at the RFEF, particularly during her time as head coach of the senior women's national team.” According to Reuters, Tomé will officially step down at the end of the month, closing a significant chapter in Spanish women’s football.
So, what led to this swift change at the top? The answer lies in a mix of recent disappointments and shifting expectations. Tomé’s reign began with promise, and she quickly made her mark by guiding Spain to the 2023-24 Nations League title. That triumph was seen as a validation of her tactical acumen and ability to motivate a talented squad. But the momentum didn’t last. Spain’s campaign at the Paris Olympics proved to be a letdown, with the team failing to secure a medal—a result that stung for a side brimming with world-class talent and ambition.
Yet, it was the Euro 2025 final in Zurich that truly defined Tomé’s tenure. After a tense, hard-fought match against England, Spain’s hopes of continental glory were dashed in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout. The loss was a bitter pill to swallow, especially after coming so close to the title. The defeat didn’t just break Spanish hearts; it also undermined confidence in Tomé’s leadership at the highest level. For a federation eager to capitalize on recent successes and keep pace with Europe’s elite, the result signaled the need for a fresh start.
Enter Sonia Bermúdez, the newly appointed head coach and a familiar face in Spanish football circles. Bermúdez, who has been managing the women’s Under-23 side, will now take the reins of the senior squad. Her appointment is being seen as both a nod to continuity and a bet on new energy. Bermúdez brings a wealth of experience as a former international player and coach, and her understanding of Spain’s developmental pipeline could prove invaluable as the team looks to regroup and rebuild.
The move has sparked plenty of discussion among fans and pundits alike. Can Bermúdez inject fresh ideas and restore Spain’s winning edge? Will she be able to harness the talents of a golden generation and deliver the silverware that has so narrowly eluded them? These are the questions swirling around Spanish football as the team prepares for the next chapter.
It’s worth noting that Tomé’s legacy is far from one-dimensional. Her journey from assistant coach to the top job was a testament to her dedication and tactical insight. She played a pivotal role in Spain’s rise on the European stage, helping to cultivate a style of play that combined technical finesse with relentless pressing. Her Nations League triumph in 2024 stands as a proud achievement, and many in the football community have praised her for fostering a positive culture within the squad.
Still, football is a results-driven business, and the last twelve months have been unforgiving. The Olympic disappointment was a blow, but the Euro 2025 loss—coming so close to glory only to fall short in penalties—was the final straw. The RFEF’s decision reflects the high expectations now placed on Spain’s women’s team, a side that has tasted success and is hungry for more.
In her farewell, Tomé leaves behind a team brimming with potential but in need of a new spark. The challenge for Bermúdez will be to steady the ship, reinvigorate the squad, and keep Spain firmly in the mix for future honors. With the World Cup cycle looming and another Nations League campaign on the horizon, there’s little time to waste.
For fans, the next few months promise to be intriguing. Will there be tactical shifts under Bermúdez? Could we see new faces breaking into the starting eleven? And how will the established stars respond to the change in leadership? The answers will unfold as Spain’s women’s team embarks on its next chapter, determined to turn recent heartbreak into future triumphs.
As the federation thanks Montse Tomé for her professionalism and dedication, attention now shifts to Sonia Bermúdez and the promise of a fresh approach. The coming months will test the resilience and ambition of La Roja, but if history is any guide, Spanish football rarely stays down for long. With a new coach at the helm and a roster stacked with talent, the stage is set for another thrilling ride.
For now, all eyes are on Bermúdez as she prepares to lead Spain into a new era. The echoes of Zurich still linger, but with change comes hope—and the belief that the best may be yet to come for Spanish women’s football.
