Finally, Spain has a new manager and it's a really competitive choice that will surely bring the whole country together during the World Cup qualifiers and major tournaments. Julen Lopetegui takes on the role as Spain's new manager and was presented this Thursday evening. The former Porto coach spoke about the importance of honoring the legacy left by Vicente del Bosque and attempt to keep that offensive style alive, Julen thinks they have a lot of talent to make it happen.
He told the press that: "We will try to take advantage of all the good he has done for Spanish football for many years. We will not waste many wonderful things that this team has given us. Football does not stop, does not live in the past, we are very proud of the past but we look at the present and the future. There is no better mirror to look to than Vicente del Bosque. He has done an exemplary job and left the bar very high. We are aware of it. I was unable to speak with Vicente but we will talk."
Lopetegui made an analysis of Spanish football: "Spanish football still has a wonderful generation of players. We will convince people again to walk with pride about Spanish football in the world. We'll go see what is best for games, we will consider our rivals, fitness – we are not going to make any revolution. The core of the team is clear, there are many players established and other new players to come who will deserve it. We will not do revolution, it will be evolution. Football lives in the present."
Del Bosque gave Julen his blessing on Radio Marca: "I'm sure Julen has the ability and the enthusiasm to take us forward. We worked together with the Under-21s and we always had a very close collaboration. He's a well-prepared man, with huge enthusiasm. He will know the best way forward, as he did brilliantly with the lower categories. The coach needs everything. You have to get close to the best, to represent Spanish football, to give the players the right tools to be a team, to have good camaraderie. That's what a coach has to do."
Photo credit: Seleccion Española