Del Bosque to replace Aragones as Spain national coach, report says

12 March 2008

Madrid (dpa) – Vicente del Bosque, 57, a former coach of Real Madrid and Besiktas, is set to replace Luis Aragones as national coach of Spain after Euro 2008, the Spanish sports daily Marca said Tuesday, citing sources "very close" to Del Bosque.

"Everything has already been discussed with the federation and there is no problem," the source told Marca.

However, the change will only become official following Euro 2008, scheduled to be played in Austria and Switzerland in June.

According to Marca, Del Bosque will make his debut as national coach in August, in a friendly against Denmark.

Aragones had already said he would not continue at the post following Euro 2008, but asked that his successor not be designated before he leaves.

Del Bosque – who led Real Madrid to two titles in the Champions League and two more in La Liga in a very successful four-year stint as coach – would reportedly sign a two-year contract.