Del Bosque Interested In Spain Job

Former Real Madrid coach Vicente Del Bosque says he has "a healthy interest" in taking over from Luis Aragones as coach of Spain.

Del Bosque was keen to stress, however, that he was only interested taking charge of the nation after the European Championships and not before.

Aragones is to step down from his post after Euro 2008, although some Spanish fans are unhappy with his handling of the team and are putting pressure on the coach to leave his post before then.

But Del Bosque says he would feel uncomfortable negotiating with the Spanish FA (RFEF) prior to the summer championships.

He told Spanish sports daily Marca: "What I don't like is giving the impression that I want to be coach at all costs.

"Right now I want to show my healthy interest in being coach, but for the moment, while Luis Aragones is still there, I have no intention of getting myself involved.

"Right now it's a bit of an uncomfortable topic.

"As the RFEF has reiterated many times Luis is the coach and will be the one to take Spain to Euro 2008."

Del Bosque was named in 2004 as one of the candidates to replace Inaki Saez as national coach, but was beaten to the post by Aragones.

The tactician won two European Cups and two Primera Liga titles during his four-year spell in charge at the Bernabeu but has faltered since.

He has been out of management since being sacked from Turkish side Besiktas in 2005.

In 2006 he turned down the chance to coach Mexico, stating his priorities lay in Spain.