Vicente del Bosque insists he is still “very comfortable, at ease and excited about what I do” as he prepares to lead out Spain for the 100th time on Sunday.
The former Real Madrid Coach replaced Luis Aragones on the back of his predecessor’s Euro 2008 triumph and has since guided La Roja to the 2010 World Cup and another European Championship, despite flattering to deceive in Brazil last year.
“It’s been a long journey, in which there’s been everything,” he said at a Press conference ahead of Spain’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Belarus, in which a win would keep them hot on the trail of Group C pace-setters Slovakia.
“In sport you win, lose and have slip-ups. We were champions of the world, Europe but struggled in Brazil.
“Regardless, we’re still in an extraordinary period for Spanish football.
“No [I’m not tired], I’m very comfortable. I can’t manage everything. The players still have to train and do their jobs, but I’m comfortable, at ease and excited about what I do.
“[On his favourite match as Spain Coach], the final against Netherlands in South Africa. [At the other end of the spectrum], the group match against Netherlands in Brazil.
“For the record, [Belarus] are a team with resources to attack, good wingers and a powerful No 9. However, they are known to sit deep and will certainly make life difficult for us.
“We have the advantage that the pitch is very good and that favours us. We can hurt them and we mustn’t make mistakes. We must be prepared for the greatest possible difficulty.
“[Pedro Rodriguez] has been very effective and will certainly play [on Sunday]. I’ll put out the team I believe are best-equipped for this match. It’ll be as good as the Costa Rica team.
“[Cesc Fabregas] is one of our best midfielders, with a uniqueness in that he’s also a goalscorer. He’s proved so in his 96 caps for Spain.
“[Gerard Pique being booed against Costa Rica] wasn’t the worst moment.
“They were directed at one player, to which we’re obliged to defend him because he’s part of our family, although he can defend himself.
“We’ll work to ensure things from the outside don’t affect us.”
