Vicente del Bosque does not believe that Real Madrid miss his management style, even if he admits he and Jose Mourinho are two extremes in style.
The World Cup and European Championship winner with Spain spent the first 25 years of his coaching career in the ranks at Madrid, before being shown the door in 2003, despite winning the League that year.
With the struggles the team have had this term, including long-reported internal struggles with Coach Mourinho, Del Bosque was asked by reporters today if he thought the club missed his more laid-back manner.
“I do not believe that they miss me. This is the best club in the 20th century and one of the best today, a very strong and extraordinary club,” reflected the 62-year-old, who was speaking at a football conference today.
“They maintain, next to Barcelona, an incredible level and makes us all enjoy the football.
“Mourinho? There are several factors required when leading a group, including character and personality.
“Mourinho looks to be a very aggressive Coach. I, however, am more relaxed. Between those two factors, perhaps the two extremes, there is a world. But more importantly, the group has to function, the rest ends up secondary.”
Del Bosque spoke on a number of subjects and took his opportunity to hit out at the Spanish media’s style of reporting, particularly when it comes to Barcelona and Real Madrid.
“In the Madrid-Barca [Cup semi-final] we saw the other week, the discussion afterwards were not about the big game we had just seen, but unnecessary controversy about if one of the players had waited in the car park afterwards.
“Would this have been done this way in another country? We are always looking for something else… The bad side of football and it is not good.
“From my point of view there are no disputes between Real Madrid and Barcelona’s players, they are all outstanding players.
“We have many players, Catalans, Basques… And I never had to remind anyone that we are in the Spanish team. The best example are the three goalkeepers.
“One is from Madrid [Iker Casillas], with over 100 games, another Cordovan [Pepe Reina], with about 20 and another a Catalan [Victor Valdes], with only about five caps.
“Yet, it is the best source of coexistence that exists in the team.”
Spain are linked with organising a friendly in August in Ecuador, which would be the latest long-haul flight the team would be committed to for payment.
“For us it is an honour to travel. La Seleccion is wanted in all countries of the world, we are happy to go and represent our country as modest ambassadors and we are all proud.
“And yet, there are those [the media] who instead of helping, seemingly go against us.”
Last week saw Del Bosque unveil a life-size wax model of himself [pictured] to be displayed at Madrid's wax museum.
