Vicente del Bosque’s retirement is expected to be confirmed after Spain’s Euro 2016 exit and he has recommended Joaquin Caparros as his successor.
AS reports current Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] President Angel Maria Villar is taking Caparros under consideration for the post that will officially become vacant in July, despite La Roja exiting the tournament in defeat to Italy on Monday.
Del Bosque had always planned to step down and leave behind his coaching career following the end of the competition, though Villar had made noises about talking the World Cup and two-time European Championships winner into staying on.
However, Spain’s elimination in the Round of 16 makes that unlikely and instead a new cycle will start in World Cup 2018 qualification, under the command of a new Coach.
Caparros has in recent months turned down offers from Real Betis, Valencia and most recently newly-promoted Alaves as he has his heart set on the national team and has been recommended by Del Bosque, a former Real Madrid colleague.
There is though uncertainty as to who will have the job of naming a new national team trainer as Villar could stand for the Presidency of UEFA, and if so his successor will assume the responsibility.
Marcelino Mate, President of the Football Federation of Castilla and Leon, or Luis Rubiales, the President of the Association of Spanish Footballers, are touted as candidates for the RFEF post.
If it is neither of them, however, then it is expected the new President would widen the net past Caparros to consider Juan Carlos Garrido, Luis Fernandez, Pepe Mel, Roberto Martinez or Julen Lopetegui.
It’s also suggested that if a new President of the RFEF can’t be appointed until November there’ll be an attempt to convince Del Bosque to stay on until then, which would take in Spain’s first four 2018 qualification games.
Del Bosque is not on board with that notion, though, as he believes his successor needs a full run at qualification on his own terms.
The veteran has also had offers from the Premier League, Bundesliga and France’s Ligue 1, but appears to have made up his mind regarding the end of his coaching career, and will be subject to a tribute by the RFEF, the Spanish government and King Felipe VI and his father Juan Carlos, who elevated the Coach to be the 1st Marquis of Del Bosque following the 2010 World Cup success.
