Euro 2008 - Aragones: I was not wanted

Eurosport - Thu, 03 Jul 16:58:00 2008

Luis Aragones has revealed he left his post as Spain coach because the Spanish Football Federation did not want him to continue.

FOOTBALL 2008 Euro 2008 Germany-Spain Aragones - 0

The 69-year-old led Spain to victory at Euro 2008, their first major title in 44 years, but had consistently maintained he would step down after the tournament, four years after taking charge.

Turkish club Fenerbahce have said they have a pre-agreement with him to join them on a two-year deal, which is expected to be completed in the coming days.

"I don't accept those that say I wanted to leave. I admit I said everyone had a sell by date because there was no movement (from them)," Aragones told Marca.

"The Federation did not want me as coach. If they had wanted me they wouldn't have spoken to another while I was still working."

Former Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque is reportedly due to take over from Aragones, having already reached a verbal agreement with the Federation.

FEF secretary Jorge Perez said there was no possibility that Aragones would be offered an extension to stay on to coach the side to the World Cup in 2010.

"Aragones said he would go publicly, to us, and to the sports director Fernando Hierro," Perez told AS.

"The Federation stood by him when the opinion polls were against him because we believed in him and his work. Luis has achieved something historical for the country and he says goodbye in the best possible manner."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 8 of 8

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  1. lucky f a g he was just blessed with a very talented spanish team coz without it the rascist would not of done as well. should of been sacked long ago when he made those horrific racial remarks. im just thinkin how many times must he of used rasicm to motivate his players. disgraceful an i totally agree with tony he is bad man that does not deserve any credit for spains victory at the euros, that victory was made totally by the spanish players, not him!

    From jackel, on Tue 15 Jul 10:23PM

  2. JUST GUESS EVERYONE HAS FORGOT WHAT A RACIST THIS MANS WAS , OK HE WON EURO 2008 , BUT THE MAN DESERVES NO RESPECT FOR BEING A BIGOT AND FACIST RACIST , REMEMBER COMMENTS ABOUT HENRY , HOPE HE HAS A HEART ATTACK LOL

    From Tony M, on Tue 15 Jul 10:04PM

  3. Viva La Espana..!!-Aragones..long standing involvement with EUROPEAN Football, has put him as One of The "Greats Ever"..!- And about .."AGE"..?- you know Mates,that's "REAL" Ageism...and it PROOVES, that is Absolutely "@#$%"..!-Given,what he has "delivered" to the Game's Enhacement, in terms of Technical "Imparting",Brilliant Tactics,and a "Savoir Faire" most ENVIOUS,,he deserves to Rub Shoulders with the likes of Scolari,Trappatoni,Sir Alex,Platinni..Good Luck ! LUIZ !and THANKS for wht you brought to Football!-MUCHAS GRATIAS SENOR!

    From Dean_ManU, on Sat 5 Jul 11:09AM

  4. does fenerbahce have a yellow kit?

    From master shake, on Thu 3 Jul 10:23AM

  5. Just remember he is 70: if he has Fenerbahce winning the Turkish league for god sake make sure your players do NOT throw him in the air like the hooligans of our national team when they beat Germany:he could get a dislocation or something. Be nice to him ,OK? ;-)

    From Nacho 2008, on Thu 3 Jul 2:10AM

  6. EN BÜYÜK FENERBAHÇE

    From trust1907, on Wed 2 Jul 10:19PM

  7. championship FENERBAHÇE

    From trust1907, on Wed 2 Jul 10:18PM

  8. too old for fenerbahce!:)

    From fulham, on Wed 2 Jul 1:45PM
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