Vicente Del Bosque may lack the unpredictability and colourfulness of Luis Aragones, his predecessor as Spanish coach, but to the players he brings a calmness and authority which are imperative when things are not going smoothly.
However, the 59-year-old, who casts a lugubrious looking figure on the bench, rejects the notion that he is simply a father figure to a group of players who won the European title under Aragones and are within touching distance of adding the World Cup to it.
“To be a father figure is not sufficient in order to do a good job,” said a clearly agitated del Bosque at the 2009 Confederations Cup where Spain failed to win the trophy losing to the United States in the semi-finals.
“You have to have other qualities. I have enough experience in order to earn the respect of my players.”
“He (del Bosque) is a very good coach, of course,” said Liverpool star Fernando Torres.
“He coached Real Madrid for years, with the biggest stars in the world at that time, and the best players. He knows exactly how to deal with players.”
Spain’s rampaging rightback Sergi Ramos also professes a great respect for Del Bosque.
“We love his philosophy,” said Ramos.
“He is a great coach, he is very refined psychologically as well, and very interested in the players’ welfare,” the right-back added.
— AFP