Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho steps down
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Your support makes all the difference.The Spanish national soccer team coach Jose Antonio Camacho resigned yesterday, 10 days after the side was eliminated from the World Cup.
"Life is made of stages and this one has finished for me," Camacho told a press conference. He said the main reason was his need for a more immediately demanding job.
"The Euro 2004 is two years away and the next World Cup another two. At 47, I need more challenges," he said.
Camacho's contract was scheduled to run until the Euro 2004 championship in Portugal. Spanish Soccer federation chief Angel Villar said Inaki Saez, who manages Spain's junior sides, would take over as the senior side coach while a replacement for Camacho is sought.
The decision came 10 days after Spain was ejected from the World Cup in South Korea and Japan at the quarterfinal stage.
A perennial underachiever, Spain got off to its best World Cup start in half a century winning its first four matches. The side was eliminated in a penalty shoot–out against South Korea in the quarterfinal but Camacho and the players blamed the defeat on poor refereeing after having two apparently legal goals disallowed during the match.
News reports Tuesday said continued criticism of Camacho's preparations for the World Cup and over several decisions he took during the tournament were the main reason for the resignation.
Camacho was nevertheless very popular with fans and players alike and held an impressive result sheet of 28 victories, nine draws and just seven defeats in less than four years.
The team also had an outstanding 105–27 goal record in its favor.
Camacho took charge of Spain in September 1998 following the team's disastrous performance under Javier Clemente in the World Cup the same year in France. Under new management, the team greatly impressed all in the qualifiers for Euro 2000 but then exited once again at the quarterfinal stage of the tournament against eventual winner France.
Rafa Benitez, coach for Spanish league champion Valencia, said Camacho's decision was a blow for Spanish soccer.
"I think Camacho's record has been positive," Benitez told the national news agency Efe. "While respecting an individual's decision, I think it's a shame for Spanish soccer because he managed the team through a good period."
World Cup star Joaquin Sanchez also regretted it.
"It's a pity because he's a hard–worker with a lot of hope and great ambition," the Betis winger told Efe. "I don't think it's due to the criticism because he doesn't pay much attention to that. He's also very firm."
Born in the southeastern town of Cieza, Camacho was a highly respected defender for both Real Madrid and Spain.
Spain's next match is against Hungary in Budapest on Aug. 21 in a testimonial match for legendary player Ferenc Puskas. On Sept. 7, it plays Greece in Athens in the first qualifier for Euro 2004.
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