Is Jenni Hermoso's Spain career over? New coach 'starting from scratch' in hint there's no room for World Cup-winning forward in squad

Having retired in 2020, Bermudez obtained her UEFA Pro License immediately and started coach the women's youth teams of Spain. She has managed the U-19s, the U-20s, and the U-23s. On Tuesday, she was presented as the new head coach of the senior women's team on a two-year contract, which will end after the 2027 Women's World Cup. The former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid forward takes over from Montse Tome, who led La Roja to a runners-up finish at the Women's Euro in the summer.

Speaking at her presentation, Bermudez spoke highly of Hermoso, a player she has previously shared the dressing room with at Rayo Vallecano and Barcelona. However, the 40-year-old didn't clarify whether the Tigres UANL forward was in her plans. 

"I'm not going to reveal who Jennifer Hermoso is. She's a legend, the national team's top scorer, who's now in Mexico. But you'll have to wait for the list," she said. "We're starting from scratch. We want to focus on the project and we're going to try to bring in the best players. We're following all the players and monitoring them every week. I'm looking forward to getting started. When the list arrives, we'll talk about all the players."

The 35-year-old made her debut for Spain in 2012 and has since made 123 appearances for her country, scoring 57 goals. No other footballer has scored more for Spain's women's team in history. She won the Silver Ball for her exploits in Spain's World Cup-winning campaign in 2023, scoring three goals and delivering two assists. What's more, she has finished as the top scorer in Spain's top-flight five times. 

Her time with Spain, though, seems to be coming to an end. Despite finishing as Spain's joint top scorer in the Euro qualifying campaign along with Salma Paralluelo, she was surprisingly left out of the Euro 2025 squad, with the likes of Esther Gonzalez, Alba Redondo, Claudia Pina and Mariona Caldentey getting the nod.

Bermudez will make her senior managerial debut on October 24, when Spain host Sweden in the first leg of the Women's Nations League semi-final. The return leg will be played four days later.