Controversial former Spain manager Jorge Vilda returns to football... as the World Cup-winning coach takes over the Morocco Women's team after being sacked by his country amid the Luis Rubiales kiss-gate scandal
- Jorge Vilda was sacked by Spain in the aftermath of their World Cup triumph
- Vilda was a controversial figure with Spain but he has now taken over Morocco
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport's podcast 'It's All Kicking Off!'
Former Spain boss Jorge Vilda has been appointed as the new manager of the Morocco Women's team.
Vilda - who was closely linked to the disgraced former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales - was dismissed by his country last month, just 16 days after they won the World Cup following a number of controversies.
Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips in the aftermath of their final victory over England. He repeatedly claimed the kiss was consensual before eventually resigning, although he is battling charges of sexual assault and coercion, with Vilda also reportedly being investigated as part of the case.
During a speech in which he defended his position, Vilda faced criticism for applauding Rubiales, who offered the coach a new four-year deal at the same time, before acting Spain FA president Pedro Rocha sacked the 42-year-old soon after.
And now Vilda - who claimed his dismissal from La Roja was 'unfair' - has returned to football after taking over the north African side, who qualified for their first ever World Cup in 2023.
![Jorge Vilda has been appointed as the new manager of the Morocco Women's team](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/13/07/76508487-12626545-image-a-1_1697180140644.jpg)
Jorge Vilda has been appointed as the new manager of the Morocco Women's team
![The former Spain boss (left) was closely linked to the disgraced former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales (right) and was sacked amid the fall-out from the Rubiales kiss-gate scandal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/13/07/76508485-12626545-image-a-2_1697180164123.jpg)
The former Spain boss (left) was closely linked to the disgraced former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales (right) and was sacked amid the fall-out from the Rubiales kiss-gate scandal
Their football team has been ever improving in recent years after they came runners-up to South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, while Morocco were eliminated by France at the last-16 stage during the World Cup.
At the tournament in Australia, they became the first Arab side to reach the knockout stages, but after two friendly losses against Zambia last month, Morocco sacked previous boss Reynald Pedros, who had been in charge since 2020.
After his dismissal Pedros said: 'The book closes and I am very disappointed not to continue my mission with the Moroccan national A team. But, so proud to have put this team on top of the world.'
Despite Vilda leading Spain to their first ever World Cup triumph, his reign was surrounded in various controversies.
During the fall-out over the Rubiales kiss-gate scandal, the Spanish FA faced significant pressure to dismiss Vilda.
Meanwhile, in September 2022, 15 Spain players wrote a letter to the Spanish FA refusing to play unless Vilda resigned, arguing that his reign was affecting their 'emotional state' amid talk of unprofessionalism.
Rubiales chose to back Vilda at the time, who opted to select just three of the 15 players in his squad for the World Cup.
The protest against Vilda came amid reports he had banned players from locking their hotel rooms, carried out room checks, and went through their bags like 'children'.
It has been claimed the decision to sack Vilda was supposed to be a 'symbol' of the changes promised by the Spanish FA in response to the Rubiales scandal.
Montse Tome, who was part of Vilda's staff at the World Cup, was announced as his replacement and she oversaw victories against Sweden and Switzerland in her first games in charge.
At the time of his sacking, the Spanish FA thanked Vilda for his work in the role and noted how he had helped grown the women's game in the country.
![Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips in the aftermath of their World Cup final victory](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/13/07/74809729-12626545-Rubiales_right_a_key_ally_of_Vilda_has_faced_calls_to_resign_as_-a-3_1697180230630.jpg)
Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips in the aftermath of their World Cup final victory
![Vilda takes over a Morocco team who reached the last-16 in what was their first ever World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/13/07/76508493-12626545-image-a-4_1697180307118.jpg)
Vilda takes over a Morocco team who reached the last-16 in what was their first ever World Cup
A statement read: 'The Royal Spanish Football Federation, in one of the first renewal measures announced by president Pedro Rocha, has decided to dispense with the services of Jorge Vilda as sports director and women's national coach, a position, the latter, which he accepted in 2015.
'The RFEF appreciates his work at the head of the National Team and in his functions as the head of sports for the women's teams, as well as the successes achieved during his time crowned with the recent achievement of the World Cup.
'We value his impeccable personal and sporting conduct, being a key piece in the notable growth of women's football in Spain. During his extensive period, Vilda has been a promoter of the values of respect and sportsmanship in football.
'The RFEF would like to express its gratitude to Jorge Vilda for the services provided, for his professionalism and dedication during all these years, wishing him the best successes in the future.'