Vicente del Bosque says that his time with Real Madrid is still held as the period of his career to have given him most satisfaction.
The Spain Coach was in Italy this week to receive the Premio Nils Liedholm award, which is usually given out each year to an Italian Coach to recognise their efforts from the past 12 months, but was awarded to Del Bosque on the blessing of many of the peninsula’s Coaches.
Interviewed by La Stampa during his time in Italy, the veteran was asked for what from his career as a player and Coach he has valued most.
“I was a man of the province of Real Madrid. In a world of low fidelity, I have spent 40 years at the same club, first as a player and then as a Coach of the youth and first team and this is something that has given me more gratification than anything else, even when including the disappointments,” he replied.
A specific disappointment was his removal as Coach in 2003, despite having just won the League title, but Del Bosque instead chose to focus on his good luck, which as he says includes taking over as Spain Coach in 2008.
“I had the good fortune to become the Coach of Spain at a time when there was a high concentration of talent and the best players on file.
“I am happy that at such a difficult time for the country from an economic standpoint, we have contributed to give this joy to people, to be a parenthesis of happiness in a difficult period.”
