The resignation of Spain’s World Cup and Euro winning head coach Vicente del Bosque was officially confirmed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) yesterday. The 65-year-old had announced that he was to retire on Thursday, after his side had been outclassed in the last 16 of Euro 2016 by Italy. Former Real Madrid boss Del Bosque led Spain to the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 titles, after taking over from Euro 2008-winning coach Luis Aragones.
“The coach informed the president of the RFEF his desire to not remain at the head of the national team,” the federation said in a brief statement.
The second half of Del Bosque’s stint was disappointing, with the 2-0 defeat to Italy following a shock group-stage exit from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil as defending champions.

Gabon sack manager Costa
Gabon have sacked their manager Jorge Costa six months before hosting the Africa Cup of Nations.  The Portuguese coach, hired in July 2014, was let go following the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw with Gabon in a tricky group alongside Ivory Coast, Mali and Morocco.
 Costa was the best paid manager of any national side on the continent, news website Gaboneco revealed in May.
 “If I receive 70,000 euros a month, a salary which makes me the best paid (manager) in Affrica, it’s because I’m the best coach,” former Porto and Standard Liege player Costa
said.
 He made those comments as questions begun to be raised over Gabon’s performances on the pitch, the most recent a 2-1 friendly loss to reigning African champions Ivory Coast.
 Gabon, who co-hosted the Cup of Nations in 2012 with Equatorial Guinea, stage the 2017 edition from January 21 to February 12.
 Costa’s successor is due to be named on July 30 in time for the first World Cup qualifiers in October.