Angel Maria Villar, the President of the Spanish Football Federation [RFEF], is considering how to replace Vicente Del Bosque after Euro 2016.
AS reports Villar wants the Coach to stay on until after the 2018 World Cup, in Russia, but Del Bosque is steadfast in his decision to retire once Spain’s involvement in Euro 2016 is over.
Villar has to stand for re-election to his post in January and wanted to do so with a contract renewal for La Roja’s most successful Coach as part of his platform, but instead has to weigh up the options for the long-term.
Del Bosque has also made clear he doesn’t want to be involved in the search for his successor and with Fernando Hierro not replaced as sporting director, the decision effectively lies with Villar.
Villar is also watching Michel Platini’s bid to succeed Sepp Blatter as head of FIFA, as he has eyes on Platini’s position at UEFA.
The Spain job is though an immediate issue and there are a number of candidates, AS suggests, from veterans such as Juan Ignacio Camacho, Juande Ramos and Joaquin Caparros, to younger trainers, including Albert Celades, Coach of the Spain Under-21s, and his predecessor Julen Lopetegui, now at Porto.
Unai Emery is understood to be a favourite of Villar but prising him away from Sevilla would be difficult as his contract runs until 2017, and Villar would prefer either a free agent or an easy negotiation.
Paco Jemez, Ernesto Valverde, Michel, Pepe Mel and Quique Sanchez Flores are all also named by AS, while Villar hasn’t given hope that a successful Euro 2016 persuades Del Bosque to stay on.
