Del Bosque ‘decides to retire, but…’

Vicente del Bosque has decided to retire and the only reason he hasn’t announced as much already is due to the Spanish Football Federation [RFEF].

AS says the World Cup winner’s mind is made up and he will step down from the national team and bring an end to his long career, but hasn’t publically said so as the RFEF, specifically President Angel Maria Villar, won’t let him until July 15.

Del Bosque first said a year ago that he would leave his post after Euro 2016, telling AS ‘I’ve decided that. You can’t be certain about anything in this life, but I don’t think anything can make me change my plans.’

He repeated as much in December, citing health reasons as part of the basis for his retirement, but Villar felt regardless he could keep Del Bosque on until a replacement is found.

Villar has also to decide if he will be a candidate for the Presidency of UEFA and has until July 20 to put his name forward. If he instead decides to stand for re-election with the RFEF, he will announce a successor to Del Bosque on July 15.

The President is said to want a Spanish Coach and one who isn’t currently employed anywhere else, ruling out new Granada trainer Paco Jemez, among others, though AS reports he does have a clause which would allow him to quit for La Roja.

Julen Lopetegui is the candidate of Villar’s RFEF election rival Jorge Perez and so Villar won’t favour him, and he doesn’t like the option of Michel either, perhaps leaving Joaquin Caparros and Jose Antonio Camacho as options.

Tags Euro 2016 Spain Vicente Del Bosque
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