Vicente del Bosque
quit as Spain's coach
after the defending
champions crashed
out of Euro 2016,
ending one of
football's most
successful managerial
dynasties.
Del Bosque, 65, won a
World Cup and a European Championship in
a glorious era for Spanish football. He also
won the Champions League twice with Real
Madrid.
His legacy was tainted by Spain's disastrous
first round exit at the 2014 World Cup and
now their defeat in the last 16 at the
European Championship. Some of the team's
greatest players are also expected to retire
soon.
"Without a doubt, I have no intention to
remain as coach, but you have to be
discreet," Del Bosque told Spanish public
radio RNE late on Thursday.
"No matter what the result of the Euros, I
had no doubt about what my future would
be.
"I have handled this issue discreetly. But it is
a decision that was taken in advance."
Spain were eliminated from Euro 2016 on
Monday after a meek 2-0 defeat to Italy.
Marca newspaper said ex-Granada coach
Joaquin Caparros was being lined up to take
over the national team.
Del Bosque, who succeeded the late Luis
Aragones after Spain's triumph at Euro
2008, is a popular figure in Spain after
guiding the national team to a maiden
World Cup victory in 2010 and a second
straight European Championship title two
years later.
The likes of Andres Iniesta, David Silva and
Iker Casillas became household names
around the globe under Del Bosque's tactful
guidance.
He also overcame the traditional rivalry
between Barcelona and Real to maintain a
united team on the international stage.
LOYAL TO A FAULT
In an age of star coaches, his eight years in
charge of a top national team is almost
unprecedented in modern football.
Some felt a fresh start was needed after
Spain's failure to advance beyond the group
stage at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The
side lost their first two games and Del
Bosque was criticised for his loyalty to the
core of players who won in 2010.
The Spanish federation stuck with him, but
Del Bosque's gamble to stay in the job for
Euro 2016 did not pay off.
"I had already said it. I had no doubts. It
would be hard to win again," del Bosque
said.
"Maybe we did not perform well against
Italy. The first stage went well. But the most
difficult part would be winning again."
He said he will remain in his post until his
contract expires on July 31.
"On July 31 I will leave football. I will be
available to help. I will leave the bench
although I will always remain close and will
want things to go well for Spanish football.
If I can help in anything, I will," he said.
Del Bosque said no one at the Spanish
football federation had asked his advice
regarding who should replace him.
Caparros, who has managed a host of
Spanish clubs including Villarreal, Sevilla,
Athletic Bilbao and Levante, told Marca: "I
would be excited to manage the national
team, any Spanish coach would be
honoured to take this job."
There has been no official word on del
Bosque's successor however. And among
the other names tipped to replace him is
former Spain under-21 boss Julen
Lopetegui, Granada coach Paco Jemez and
former Marseille boss Jose Miguel Gonzalez.
Del Bosque made more than 400
appearances for Real as a player and in four
years as the club's coach from 1999 won
the Champions League in 2000 and 2002.
He was replaced in part because he was not
considered a big enough star.