It is officially the end of an era. The man who lead Spain through their historical and most successful period in football has finally waved goodbye to the national side, with confirmation coming of Vicente del Bosque’s resignation.
Having taken over eight years ago from Luis Aragones back in 2008, Del Bosque now walks away from Spain after a disappointing UEFA Euro 2016 campaign in which they finished second in their group before crashing out in the round of 16.
However, this won’t be the end for the 65-year-old and La Furia Roja, with the RFEF revealing in a statement that Del Bosque has been handed a new role with the football federation, one which they are hopeful of him accepting.
"The president of the RFEF, Angel Maria Villar, and the national team coach, Vicente del Bosque, have held a meeting in Madrid on July 4 in which the coach informed the president of the RFEF of his decision not to continue at the head of the national team," read the statement.
"Angel Maria Villar considers Vicente del Bosque part of Spanish football's heritage and has offered him the possibility of continuing in the federation, which has been answered positively.
"This offer will materialise in the coming weeks."
Many were keen to pay tribute to the 65-year-old, with Ramos and Casillas hailing their manager of eight years. "This morning, in the 'Ciudad del Futbol'. 25 years together, and more! A hug, coach! Good luck!" Saint Iker, whom Del Bosque admitted to having a falling out with, wrote on Twitter.
Esta mañana, en la Ciudad del Fútbol. 25 años juntos y los que nos quedan! Un abrazo Mister! Suerte! pic.twitter.com/swqp5HNOxS
— Iker Casillas (@CasillasWorld) July 4, 2016
“Today you're leaving but your legacy is eternal. To your success as a coach and as a person,” Sergio Ramos wrote on his official Facebook account.
Del Bosque famously won the 2014 World Cup before guiding the national side to a second consecutive European Championship in 2012, albeit his tenure was marred in embarrassment due to the 2014 World Cup group stage exit.
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