Joaquin Caparros is reportedly the RFEF’s first choice to succeed Vicente del Bosque as Spain Coach after Euro 2016 as he admits “I’d be honoured”.
According to AS, Angel Maria Villar – President of the Spanish Football Federation – has given up on persuading Del Bosque to continue, and Caparros fits the 66-year-old’s profile of being Spanish and unemployed.
“I would like Vicente to continue, but as a Spaniard, I’d be honoured to coach the national team,” he told the newspaper.
“For me, it would be the biggest challenge of my career. I have 15 years of experience in La Liga, I know football from the fields of the regional Leagues to the elite.
“I am a football man and have a good relationship with [the RFEF], and if Villar offered me the job, I wouldn’t doubt it for a second.”
La Roja had been linked with Ernesto Valverde, Paco Jemez and Unai Emery, but with the trio contracted to Athletic Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla respectively, they would have been obliged to negotiate compensation for the Coaches.
Julen Lopetegui had also been touted, but his name has fallen down the list due to being sacked by Porto in his first role since leaving Spain Under-21s two years ago.
Despite concerns over the former Sevilla and Athletic boss’ style of play, the RFEF believes he will be dictated by the type of players at his disposal, while his track record of bringing youth through – as seen by his promotion of Sergio Ramos at Sanchez Pizjuan a decade ago – also plays in his favour.
Caparros, who recently rejected offers from Malaga and Espanyol, plus one less concrete from Valencia, previously managed Deportivo La Coruna, Mallorca and Granada but was sacked by all three.
However, he kept Levante in the top flight during the 2013-14 campaign, led Athletic to the Europa League twice in four seasons and is credited as the man who built the foundations for Sevilla’s success in the 21st century.
