Vicente Del Bosque last night refused to rule out his departure as Spain manager following their disappointing group stage exit from the World Cup.
Along with Australia, the reigning champions became the first nation to exit proceedings in Brazil after following up a disastrous opening 5-1 loss against the Netherlands with an equally humbling 2-0 defeat against Chile on Wednesday.
After that game, Del Bosque did little to quell speculation over his future by insisting decisions over the future – both for himself and senior players such as Xavi, Xabi Alonso and Iker Casillas – would be taken at a later date.
Del Bosque reiterated that last night, while also suggesting he is prepared to leave his position: “If me staying is uncomfortable for Spanish football, I will go. I do not want to become a hindrance – Spanish football is above all personalities.”
Spanish Football Federation general secretary Jorge Perez insists there is no debate within the corridors of power over Del Bosque’s future, claiming: “We still haven’t spoken to Del Bosque because it’s better for us to maintain a little distance and talk calmly back in Madrid.
“But he has not presented us with his resignation, and if he did we would ask him to continue.”
Del Bosque has two more years on his contract to run after recently agreeing an extension, and Perez added: “When he signed the contract, I said that if for any reason we didn’t want him to continue, he would leave. But I want him to stay – we won’t find anyone better.”
Rather than laying the blame at the manager’s door, Perez claimed the crowded fixture schedule at domestic level endured by the majority of the squad was responsible for their downfall.
“The players have played 60 games,” he said. “And doing this year after year is an enormous effort. Unfortunately, you could see that.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Xabi Alonso has some bridges to build within the Spanish camp after accusing his team-mates of lacking the necessary hunger to succeed.
Alonso endured an awful evening against Chile, losing possession in the build-up to the opening goal and was substituted at half-time.
But afterwards he went on the offensive, blasting: “Mentally we weren’t ready. Physically, maybe the same is true. Putting that all together, we weren’t in the best shape. We weren’t able to maintain the same ambition and hunger.”
A number of players are believed to be unhappy with Alonso’s outburst, and Del Bosque spoke to him privately during training yesterday.
