Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 10y

Vicente del Bosque calls for stability

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has said stability is crucial after seeing his defending champions knocked out of the World Cup in the group stages amid reports that he will remain in charge.

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Many had assumed that Del Bosque, who oversaw the 2012 World Cup and Euro 2012 triumphs, would leave after Spain crashed out in Brazil following a 5-1 drubbing by the Netherlands and a 2-0 reverse to Chile.

The 63-year-old has so far refused to publicly confirm his intentions, but stressed he would leave if the Spanish FA told him he was no longer required.

But sources close to the governing body have told AS that the current coaching team will remain in place until the Euro 2016 finals in France.

Del Bosque, speaking to ABC, said: "I will speak with the federation president [Angel Maria Villar] and the secretary general [Jorge Perez].

"As I have said, we will look for what is best for Spanish football, that there is no break and that all works well.

"We want the stability required in the whole business and, as I said, the future is secure no matter who [is the national coach]. We have a good base and we must be relaxed to make decisions."

Spain's disappointing campaign has led to speculation that senior players including captain Iker Casillas, Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso could call time on their international careers.

However, David Villa has been the only long-serving player to so far suggest that his time with the national team could be over.

Amid the uncertainty, recently-appointed under-21 coach Albert Celades, who was with senior squad in Brazil, told Marca there was no need for a total overhaul of the playing staff.

"There is a lot of talk about needing to renew the group, that there are old players," he said. "I do not see it like that. I do not believe La Roja is an aging team.

"The renovation will be about five or six players, not more. If you look at it, there are players with many years with the team who still have many years to come as internationals."

He also said the 'tiki-taka' style of play that has brought Spain such success in recent years would not change, no matter who the players or coaches.

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