Del Bosque Leads La Furia

We can officially call these next few weeks and months Luis Aragonés’ swan song at the helm of the Spanish National Team. The Spanish media went bonkers after the announcement was made today that Real Madrid’s beloved Vicente Del Bosque would finally be given his due as he was announced as the next head coach of La Furia.

He signed a two-year contract that will take effect immediately after Euro 2008 and expires on July 29th after the World Cup. The search was on for a new coach after Aragonés stated that his tempestuous relationship with the fans and the Spanish media where he found himself in various personal and professional battles where he ended up on the losing side.

The biggest fight he had was in recent months when he refused to call up Real Madrid captain Raúl even though he is finding himself in the middle of a renaissance.

That obviously will not be a problem when his former coach takes over. Del Bosque’s run will have a great deal of support from all as his resume is much more impressive than Aragones’. He led Real Madrid to two league titles, two Champions Leagues titles, a Spanish Super Cup, a European Super Cup, and an Intercontinental Cup. His departure was among the most unpopular in Real Madrid history as the club went through eight coaches since he stepped down back in 2002-03. During the post-Vicente era Madrid went empty for the next four seasons. He was very close to coming back to Real Madrid, that was until Ramón Calderón won the club’s election. Calderón then signed Fabio Capello and the team ended that drought by winning the league title last season. His last coaching job was Besiktas during the 2004-2005 season.

Del Bosque will make his debut with La Furia on June 29th in his old stomping grounds at the Santiago Bernabéu against Denmark.