Sonia Bermúdez presents herself as a coach "comfortable with the demands" and sends a message to Jenni Hermoso: "She's a legend."

Sonia Bermúdez debuted as the new women's national team coach by choosing her cover wisely. With the Nations League semifinal against Sweden at the end of October, she took refuge in the need to avoid giving "clues" to her opponents so as not to preempt decisions she will have to make regarding her first squad. However, it is inevitable that Jenni Hermoso will once again appear in the spotlight. "She's a legend, the national team's all-time leading scorer, but you'll have to wait for the squad," warned the coach in what can already be interpreted as a declaration of intent if we add to the only statement she made about the future: " We're starting from scratch . We're going to try to bring in the best to win this Nations League." She acknowledged she has spoken to a few in the month and a half since being appointed.

He was careful, however, to avoid addressing controversial topics in his presentation, so he tiptoed around Jenni Hermoso, Misa Rodríguez , and Mapi León, who never returned to the national team after refusing to work under Jorge Vilda. She's the only one the RFEF hasn't been able to reinstate so far. Now we'll have to see if Bermúdez fits into a project he outlined very little about, again alluding to the opponent's hints.

"We want the second star, the second Nations League. I feel comfortable with the demands. I know the position I've taken and I'm ready . We're going to coach the best team in the world, the best players, and we want to keep winning. We're striving for excellence ," said Bermúdez, who has been accompanied by her new staff, which includes the return of Blanca Romero as fitness trainer, as she was part of Vilda's team and at the beginning of Tomé and with whom the players had an excellent relationship. Also joining the goalkeeping coach, Carlos Sánchez , while Iraia Iturregi , former Athletic Club coach, has joined as assistant coach, and Julen Itxaso and Adrián Millán as analysts. With them, work with the players will begin on October 20th ahead of the two-legged semi-final against Sweden . "I love the demands and I can't see a better scenario than a semi-final," she said about her debut.

Beforehand, the national team coach sought to address any concerns about her coaching experience . "I've played 20 years at the elite level, a European Championship and a World Cup in 2015. I've been in the top leagues, and that gives me the background to take on this role. When I retired, I had the opportunity to coach in the First Division, the Second Division, even outside of Spain, but I decided to develop at the grassroots level, to identify talent. That gives me the flexibility to know what's coming next. I played in two European Championships, an Under-20 World Cup... that makes me feel prepared," she argued.

She says she knew she would be replacing Montse Tomé , with whom she hasn't spoken for some time, on August 11th, when the RFEF board vote took place. "She's done a spectacular job and I wish her the best," she simply said of her predecessor. She isn't afraid that, like her, the demands of the national team will consume her.

RFEF President Rafael Louzán also remembered the former coach and praised her work, but the runner-up finish in the European Championship achieved a few months ago was so insignificant that it wasn't even mentioned. Spain, world number 1 and current world champion, already lives off trophies.

"We're coming off a qualifying phase for the men's World Cup in which Spain amazed the world, and in the women's tournament, we're also on that path. We want to continue our excellence. I see Sonia eager and excited about the wonderful challenge of taking on the World Cup champion," the president stated, pledging to "do everything possible to ensure you do an outstanding job."

What Sonia Bermúdez's Spain will look like will be revealed starting October 20 , a week after the squad list is announced, with a semifinal against Sweden in Malaga on October 24 and a semifinal on October 28 in Sweden. The goal will be to seek a final to retain the title.

But another challenge will begin in January: qualifying for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil . Spain's path will be revealed on December 4th.