A week ago, Vicente del Bosque was one of the most popular men in Spain, the highly respected, even venerated national manager who had been given the title of marquis for guiding La Roja to their first World Cup triumph.
However, the taciturn, avuncular coach is well and truly in the eye of the storm after Spain surprisingly became the first team eliminated at the World Cup, following shock defeats against the Netherlands and Chile.
For the first time since taking over from Luis Aragones after triumph at Euro 2008, Del Bosque is taking massive criticism. For sticking with veterans such as Iker Casillas and Xavi instead of bringing in new blood. For opting for the Brazil-born Diego Costa instead of Alvaro Negredo or Fernando Llorente.
After Wednesday’s tame surrender against Chile, Del Bosque - under contract until 2016 - hinted at his departure by saying: “We all now have to consider what is best for Spanish football, me included.”
He hinted at a decision after Monday’s almost irrelevant game against Australia. But Jorge Perez, general secretary of the Spanish football federation, said: “We want Del Bosque to continue. We have still not spoken to him. It is better to have a little distance at the moment. We will speak to him in Madrid.
“If he tries to resign we will ask him to continue. His family might try to convince him to go, but we are not going to find a better coach.”
The Spanish fans do not seem so sure about that last point. An online poll published by Marca yesterday showed 68.6 per cent of readers thinking Del Bosque, 63, should step down.
Radio station Cadena SER said that “it is time for new blood in the team, both on the bench and on the field.”
Meanwhile, Catalan paper Sport said yesterday that Del Bosque’s mistake was not to have stood down in 2012 after thrashing Italy 4-0 in the Euro final, “because things simply could not have improved after that. He would have left as an absolute hero, a genius.”
Some sections of the Spanish media are drawing parallels with the royal family and encouraging Del Bosque to abdicate in favour of someone younger, just as King Juan Carlos did recently.
The possible successors being mentioned by the media - should Del Bosque decide to step down - are Napoli coach Rafa Benitez and Michel of Olypmiacos.