Hierro: Spain's young squad has real character and flexibility

Fernando Hierro has experienced the FIFA World Cup from almost every angle. A four-time participant with Spain, he was one of the defining figures of the national side in the 1990s and later returned to the tournament in coaching and technical roles. Much of his life has revolved around Spain and a competition he describes as “the pinnacle” for any footballer.

Speaking to FIFA, the 58-year-old former centre-back – who was equally comfortable in midfield – looked back on the memories he made at the World Cup and reflected on how Spain have evolved from a gifted generation that repeatedly fell short in the latter stages to Luis de la Fuente’s side becoming European champions and being genuine contenders for the tournament this year.

Early World Cup memories and near misses

Hierro’s first taste of the tournament came in Italy in 1990, although he did not get on the pitch. But, if he had to choose one, the 1994 World Cup in the United States left the strongest impression. “For me, it was an extraordinary experience,” he said.

Spain consistently reached the quarter-finals during Hierro’s era but could not break through to the semi-finals. “We always felt our time would come eventually. We’d reached the quarter-finals several times and we were on the verge of something special, but we couldn’t quite get over the line. We put in some top performances, only to go out on penalties, and, at other times, we had clear chances but failed to capitalise on them,” Hierro recalled.

He added: “We sensed that if Spain could make it through to a semi-final, that psychological barrier would disappear and it would feel like a different tournament. We had high expectations because our form going in was consistently strong and we rarely lost in our qualifying campaigns. But, in the end, we couldn’t quite turn that into a breakthrough when it mattered most.”

De la Fuente’s squad: cohesion and tactical flexibility

Hierro sees a marked difference in the current Spain side under Luis de la Fuente. “They look like a very tight-knit squad. From the outside, it seems there’s a great atmosphere within the camp. De la Fuente knows what makes them tick, since he’s worked with most of them at youth level, and that shows. It’s a strong group,” he said.

Despite the team’s youth, Hierro believes they play with maturity. “People talk about how young they are, but they don’t look it on the pitch. They’re well prepared, they’re confident and there’s a clear sense of cohesion. That bodes well for their chances at the World Cup.”

He praised their character and adaptability: “I like their character. They approach every game the same way regardless of the opposition. Even when it’s a EURO semi-final or final, they stay true to their style. They’re such a well-rounded side. They know when to keep possession, when to increase the tempo, when to play direct, when to attack space and when to play with a target man up front. They aren’t tied to one clearly defined way of playing; there’s plenty of flexibility. They can change shape, switch formation and alter their approach during the course of the game, which means they can play with a lot of confidence.”

Keys to World Cup success

Drawing from his own experience, Hierro highlighted the importance of squad depth and mental strength. “You need to stay calm and remember that it’s a squad of 26 players. It’s a long tournament. When you’re together for nearly 40 days, it’s impossible to please everyone all the time. But team spirit is crucial. The starting XI that begin the competition aren’t always the ones that finish it, so the rest have to be ready to contribute.”

He added: “You have to be clinical in key moments, particularly in tight matches, and you need belief. From where I’m standing, this looks like a mature side. There will be difficult moments, because they’ll be up against the best teams in the world, but the key is to remain composed and stay true to your style of play.”

Hierro concluded with a note on the team’s mentality: “If you didn’t know their ages, you wouldn’t believe how young they are. That’s down to the way they understand the game and express themselves on the pitch. They play with freedom, but they also take responsibility. They want to do their best and to make things happen, but they’re also out to enjoy themselves, and that creativity is important. All three have tremendous character.”