One hundred games, a trophy trail and a legacy to die for. Vicente Del Bosque has been the very embodiment of everything that the Spanish National Team has stood for over the last years. Taking over from Luis Aragones, whose Euro 2008 victory set Spain up for a period of success, there was perhaps not widespread belief that Vicente Del Bosque would lead Spain into an era of unimagined domination over World Football.
Two major trophies in the coming years under the man, however, set Spain up as the best team in the world over the next few years as they stormed through World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012. During this team, Spain’s obsessive displays saw teams struggle to match their technical quality and determination to win. Vicente Del Bosque needs to be given great credit, not only in unlocking Spain’s potential, but also in leading a transitional phase through a very dark time.
World Cup 2014 was a disaster and Spain’s exit an absolute embarrassment to a team with an ageing core and periphery. Del Bosque could’ve quit during the time and walked away from the turbulence that was to follow, but he stayed on. Today, Spain take a bright mix of youthful talent and older heads into Euro 2016. A tournament which Del Bosque has admitted, is hoping to be his last hurrah.
Del Bosque has already announced his intention of leaving the hot seat, leaving with the Spanish Football Federation with the tough task of naming a successor. Here, we’ve had a look at the options they have before them.
#1 Unai Emery
Unai Emery is a wanted man. A whole host of teams in club football want him to be their guiding light. Young, efficient and prone to success, Emery is the obvious choice for a range of clubs in Europe. There have been suggestions that Emery is seen in a similar light by the Spanish Football Federation as well.
There is a great sense of pride that Spain takes in the heritage each of their coaches belong to and Unai Emery, of Basque heritage holds great standing in the mind of the likes of Angel Maria Villar, the President of the Spanish Football Federation.
Manager-Team Match Rating – 3/5
A knockout tournament specialist as is evident from the numerous cup runs and three Europa League titles he has led Sevilla to, Emery could be seen as the perfect manager to take the national team forward. He is young, a master of a tactician and is capable of extracting the best out of an individual by extracting from them a mental strength only few can. Emery could be a perfect fit for the next generation of Spanish stars.
However, his relative inexperience of handling big names is up for debate. He is a keen match for the Spanish side but his appointment won’t be a no-brainer considering the last cycle of transition the new manager needs to oversee as the big names of Spanish Football bow out.
Rumor Rating – 3/5
There’s lot of noise about this possible line of ascension to the throne. Emery has his range of admirers in the Federation too but Sevilla hold the cards for this play. A contract that runs till 2017 could suggest that Spain will move on at least immediately till the current contract holds. The move isn’t as likely as it is favoured but Emery could be worth the tiff for the Spanish Federation.
#2 Paco Jemez
Spain’s puritan approach to football has its admirers and amongst the ranks of the current range of managers, few stand to be as obsessive a proponent of the Spanish style of football as Paco Jemez. Having recently left Rayo Vallecano after an impressive few years at the club came to an abrupt halt (his side were finally relegated years after they were originally touted as favorites to drop into the next division), Jemez could prove to be a fairly clever choice for the Spanish National side.
The obsessive domination of the ball that his Rayo Vallecano side propagated despite being one of La Liga’s more budget restricted teams was a joy to watch. It helped his side achieve some impressive finishes in the table by their standards.
There would be some belief amongst several important individuals that he would be the perfect coach for Spain, especially higher up in the Football Hierarchy, who have professed their impressions about Jemez before. After all, it takes some doing to break Barcelona’s possession record under the late Tito Vilanova let alone with a team like Rayo.
Manager-Team Match Rating – 3.5/5
There seems to be little doubt as to how apt the appointment will be, but Jemez stands on shaky ground in some quarters. There are murmurs that the greatest detriment to his appointment is a track record that does not boast major trophies.
Jemez has only ever managed sides that have been devoid of any stars. His teams have consisted almost always of clever players who managed to produce a greater sum of the parts than individuals. It is again a matter which will need dealing with as Spain has some very respectable senior stars. The doubts are valid ones, even if his coaching ability gives his appointment greater credence than most.
Rumor Rating – 3/5
There could be a risk involved with appointing Jemez, but it could be worth the risk for the Spanish Football Federation. He is a free agent which makes negotiations easier. He has also reportedly been linked to Valencia which has since been filled by someone else and to Watford, who have decided to go Italian instead. There is a good chance that the appointment does take place with barely few practical hurdles to this ascension.
#3 Albert Celades
Who? The Spain U-21 manager of course! Albert Celades is a figure not widely known to people outside the Spanish set up. However, the ones who do know of the diminutive tactician, would be quite interested in seeing him promoted to the seat of senior coach.
Celades has had a largely distinguished career as a player. He won 14 titles across 223 La Liga games in 12 seasons and was best known for his stints at Real Madrid and Barcelona as a player. As a manager, he has come up through the Spanish Youth Team ranks and may be essentially an in-house choice for the Spanish Football Federation
Manager-Team Match Rating – 3/5
Albert Celades, if he were to succeed, would turn out to be as inspired an appointment as he would be a viable choice for this position. Celades is young, inexperienced at the highest level as manager and doesn’t possess the aura of a Del Bosque even if there are parallels to their careers and behavior.
He does however, have great familiarity with Spain’s next crop of superstars. The Alcantara brothers, Juan Bernat, David De Gea, Paco Alcacer, Santi Mina and Hector Bellerin along with some other younger stars who will play at the Euros are all familiar with Celades who might be the perfect man to lead them into the future. Even if he does lack due experience with senior names, Celades could be worth the risk.
Rumor Rating – 2.5/5
As an option that propagates continuity, Celades is a good option whose familiarity with the current setup will stand him in good favour. However, Spain didn’t have the best time when they last chose to promote from within their present ranks. The Inaki Saez experiment prior to Euro 2004 was an unprecedented disaster and will be on the minds of the members of the Spanish Football Federation when the decision is made. A decision in his favor could well be unlikely.
#4 Julen Lopetegui
A certain Rafa Benitez would’ve been on this list and may have even been the strongest contender had he not decided to stay on at Newcastle. He was of course one of the names Del Bosque named to the press as ‘good Spanish managers’. The two other names were that of Roberto Martinez (who is probably trying to pick up the pieces of his reputation which was torn to shreds at Everton) and Julen Lopetegui, the now former FC Porto manager.
Many will remember him being handed rave reviews at FC Porto when he joined in and immediately embarked on a run that saw FC Porto play some great football with a very Spanish core. However, two years on his stint turned into somewhat of a disaster as he now represents a barren two year run sans silverware at Porto.
Yet, he seems to be a reasonable choice based on his exploits with the Spanish U-19 and U-21 sides he moulded, guiding them to Euro glory in successive years respectively. He knows this setup well and like Celades would represent a sort of continuity option.
Unlike Celades however, Lopetegui has now experienced Champions League football as a manager and one can only expect he will have come out of it a better manager.
Manager-Team Match Rating – 2.5/5
As a continuity option, Lopetegui ticks many boxes, but he seems to be an outside contender as much as anything if you consider the extent of the job at hand. His failure to adapt at Porto may be the beginning of a more far reaching problem than most would like to believe and Lopetegui would represent a risk.
Yet, he will represent much of the positives of Celades and as mentioned before will have experienced a lot more in the two years away. That Del Bosque considers him a good coach will stand for something and he could be an inspired choice.
Rumor Rating – 2.5/5
He’s available. Del Bosque rates him. Whether the Spanish Football Federation rates him or not is another matter altogether and that is what will matter in the end. It is possible that he will be considered but him getting the job is a little difficult to predict.
#5 Ernesto Valverde
Spain’s puritan approach to football may be in need of a change in direction. The world seems to be evolving its approach to the game and this could be the opportune moment for Spain to take a little detour on their own Tiki-Taka approach.
Ernesto Valverde represents the best opportunity for Spain to take forward such a change in direction considering his achievements at Athletic Bilbao over the last few years, particularly if you focus on their style of play. In the aftermath of Marcelo Biesla’s madness at the Basque club which took the team to dizzying heights before bringing them back to earth, Valverde has done well to pick up the pieces.
Adapting the Spanish domination of the ball to a relentless pressing game yet making all the facets of the game endurable at a physical level for the Spanish players, Valverde represents sound tactical knowledge in the game as well. He makes for an interesting choice and could represent a smart move.
Manager-Team Match Rating – 3/5
The only issue with Ernesto Valverde is that he has no major honours in his trophy cabinet to speak of. He represents an interesting choice but isn’t an established winner. He has managed for a long time now and does have the experience to hold his own in the national setup. He can be seen as a safe pair of hands at the very least.
Rumor Rating – 2/5
It seems unlikely that his current club will give in to seeing him leave for the national setup without making enough noise. Valverde also doesn’t have a strong profile or demand that can compel the Spanish Football Federation to think hard and negotiate long for his services.
Verdict
The Spanish Football Federation could take some time to decide on the matter. With the Euros fast approaching and with the Federation yet to name a successor, it seems likelier that a decision will be taken after the Euros are done with.
With teams loathe to losing their manager deep into pre-season, the longer the Federation takes the less likely it will be that Emery or Valverde will take over at the helm of the National Setup.
Should the search for a successor drag on, it seems likelier that one of Lopetegui and Celades will take over. Both will have their own set of advantages to the national team should they be considered. As of now Paco Jemez, who seems to be waiting for a specific job considering clubs to whom he is linked appointing others for the post of manager, could be the wildcard appointment.
It’s all a little fuzzy right now but the confusion should find an end to itself soon enough.
