Spain women’s Coach Ignacio Quereda has insisted that he will not resign from his position, despite the squad publically calling for his head.
The 64-year-old has been in charge of La Roja since 1988 and recently guided them to their first World Cup finals, but two defeats and a draw in their three group games saw the team eliminated and fail to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Their inability to reach the second round has prompted the squad to criticise Querero’s management and demand a change at the helm, but the trainer has made it clear that he will not leave on his own accord.
“I won’t resign. If I were to plan the team again, it would be the same,” he said upon his arrival at Madrid-Barajas airport on Saturday.
“The only thing that failed us [in regards to our preparation] was that Romania and Bulgaria both said no to our pre-planned friendlies at the last minute, but you can’t blame elimination on not playing in two friendlies.
“I have nothing to say other than [RFEF] will be the ones who have to discuss [my position]. I’m quite surprised and hurt by the statement because I don’t think that it’s true.
“Our elimination was because the ball didn’t go [into the net]. If we throw the balls out and look for another justification then that’s up to you [journalists].
“Our physical condition compared to other teams was less, but the Federation has nothing to do with it. The responsibility is all mine.
“[Angel Villar and I] spoke on the phone but still have to sit down. We’re all concerned and surprised [about our elimination] because things have always gone really well and there’s never been a problem, but failure to reach the second phase seems to have created a storm.
"I don’t know which agreement must be reached. The Federation will have to decide whether to change [the Coach] or not.
“I don’t have to fight for anything, I’m available to the Federation and whatever decision it makes is the right one.
“The World Cup wasn’t a failure but we didn’t achieve the objectives [we set ourselves].
“I’m disappointed, but with a bittersweet taste, because the team controlled the first half of some games yet failed to press on in the second half.
“As for attitude and behaviour, I can’t fault them.”
