Spain's soccer federation RFEF has appointed Montse Tome to succeed the fired Jorge Vilda as the women's national team coach, making her the first woman to manage the side.
Tome had been Vilda's assistant coach since 2018 and has since "established herself as a key player in the national team's growth", the RFEF said in a statement.
Vilda's contract was terminated earlier on Tuesday by the federation's new board, which was formed after the suspension of RFEF President Luis Rubiales by FIFA over his allegedly non-consensual kiss of a Spanish player after the team won the Women's World Cup two weeks ago.
The scandal involving Rubiales has quickly spiralled into a national debate over women's rights and sexist behaviour.
Considered a close ally of Rubiales, Vilda had been under fire since last year after 15 players staged a mutiny calling for his resignation because of his inadequate coaching methods and calling for conditions to match those of the men's squad.
Most of the players involved were cut out of the squad even as some demands were met.
Danae Boronat, a sports presenter who interviewed Spain's leading female players for her book "Don't Call Them Girls, Call Them Footballers", said players accused Vilda of micromanaging, such as instructing senior players what to say in interviews.
Vilda and Luis de La Fuente, the men's national team manager, applauded Rubiales when he refused to resign on 25 August but later issued statements condemning his behaviour.
The RFEF made no reference to any discontent among the players in announcing Vilda's exit, instead referring to his "professionalism and dedication during all these years".
The statement described the move as one of the first "renewal measures" under acting president Pedro Rocha, who earlier on Tuesday had published a letter apologising on behalf of the RFEF for Rubiales’ behaviour.
"We value [Vilda’s] 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 statement confirming the coach’s dismissal said.
"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.
"The RFEF is left with an extraordinary sporting legacy thanks to the implementation of a recognised game model and a methodology that has been an engine of growth for all the women’s categories of the national team."
Earlier the RFEF apologised for the "enormous damage" caused by the actions of its suspended president Luis Rubiales.
The 46-year-old has been provisionally barred from all football activity for an initial 90 days by FIFA while it investigates his conduct at last month's Women's World Cup final in Sydney.
Rubiales kissed Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation, something Hermoso has said she did not consent to. However, Rubiales has refused to resign over the matter.
Now, acting president Rocha has written a letter distancing the federation from Rubiales' actions.
"The damage caused to Spanish football, to Spanish sport, to Spanish society and the values of football and sport as a whole have been enormous," Rocha's letter said.
"Mr Rubiales' actions do not represent the values defended by the Spanish federation, nor the values of Spanish society as a whole.
"His actions must be attributed solely and exclusively to him, since he is the one solely responsible for those actions before society, before the sports governing bodies and, if applicable, before justice.
"To be clear, this position was that of Mr Rubiales, not that of the RFEF. We feel especially sorry and ashamed for the pain and additional distress this has caused."
Their statement comes after Spain's men's national team condemned the "unacceptable behaviour" of Rubiales, but called for unity as they focus on upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.
On Monday, Spanish men's team called an impromptu press conference where Alvaro Morata read a statement on behalf of the squad alongside fellow senior captains Marco Asensio, Cesar Azpilicueta and Rodri, which was also released on the Spanish Football Federation website.
"Once in Las Rozas (training base), the national team players want to emphasise several issues regarding recent events that have harmed the image of Spanish football," the statement read.
"First and foremost, we want to convey, once again, our pride and heartfelt congratulations to the women's national team for winning the World Cup in Sydney.
"It's a historic milestone filled with significance that will mark a before and after in Spanish women's football, inspiring countless women with an invaluable triumph.
"Therefore, we want to express our regret and solidarity with the players whose success has been tarnished.
"We want to reject what we consider unacceptable behaviour on the part of Mr Rubiales, who has not lived up to the institution he represents.
"We firmly and unequivocally stand on the side of the values that this sport represents. Spanish football must be a driving force for respect, inspiration, inclusion, and diversity and must set an example with its behaviour both on and off the field.
"Starting today, we face a crucial training camp for the future of Spanish football on our path to qualify for Euro 2024 with two matches against Georgia and Cyprus.
"We would like to focus on sporting matters from now on, considering the importance of the challenges ahead."
Spain manager De la Fuente had previously apologised for applauding when Rubiales told RFEF's extraordinary general meeting he would not be resigning in the wake of the controversy.
As well as his post-match conduct during the medal ceremony, Rubiales, 46, had also grabbed his crotch in the stadium's VIP area in celebration, when he was stood metres away from Spain's Queen Letizia and her teenage daughter.
The RFEF regional heads have also called for Rubiales' resignation, while members of the Spanish government have added their voices to those demanding he steps aside.
