Del Bosque: He played without a striker against Italy in the European Cup final, but now he often watches the game alone

October 10th: Spain’s meritorious coach Del Bosque was interviewed. He talked about his disciples’ transformation into coaches, the evolution of modern football, and his unforgettable experience coaching in Türkiye.

Xavi, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi Alonso, Iola... Many of the players you have coached in the national team have now achieved brilliant careers as coaches. Did any of them call you for advice?

No. I think, on a personal level, everyone has their own way and should develop as they see fit. And then in football we all have our own ideas of what to do and how to make training more relevant to match day. In other words: how you play football, how you train.

I think everyone will have their own style, and they have experienced so many coaches that they will learn a little something from everyone.

What do you think of Cesc Fabregas' future as a coach? He started well.

We don’t have any player who can be said to be harmful to the national team. They're all great, although we can't play all of them because we have too many midfielders. Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, David Silva, Cesc Fabregas, Cazorla, many players. We can't play them all.

In some games, we tried to play all the midfielders. For example, in the European Cup final against Italy, we had almost no forwards, using Iniesta, Fabregas, Silva as the forwards, and then other midfielders.

Some defenders who play, such as Pique, Arbeloa and Ramos, if you ask them which position they want to play, they will probably say midfielder rather than defender.

Did you invent that style?

No, no, no one invented it.

Now, I want to talk about Elora. Do you think he's ready to go to a bigger team?

I regard this as a good thing for Spanish football. It is a good thing that a Basque coach like Arteta can go abroad to coach, and we can export talents.

We had a shortcoming before because our generation did not speak English well, but it would be great for Spanish football for them to go abroad. We should not be afraid of going abroad. Quite the opposite. I believe this will allow Spanish football to develop.

There are coaches like you, Ancelotti, and Hiddink that I remember, who are very calm in management; there are also coaches like Guardiola who innovate and try to introduce new things almost every season. Where is modern football heading? How does it compare to the past?

Football is like the business world in that it evolves. I'm a layman in the business world, but I understand it's evolving. Spanish football, and football in general, is also evolving. Even language is evolving. The language we used a few years ago is declining and new words are appearing that mean the same thing, but it is this development that requires us to adapt day by day.

You also coached Besiktas. What are your memories of that time? How are you enjoying your time in Istanbul?

Yes, for many reasons. I have a high opinion of Turkish football and the Turkish people. My experience there lasted 10 months and we had a great time.

That was a great opportunity, to be able to live in Europe but go to Asia to train every day.

I mean, we go from the European side of Istanbul to the Asian side every day, because Besiktas' training ground is in Asia. I tell it as an anecdote, but it's a team that I hold close to my heart, that I like very much, and now I watch Besiktas games to see if they win.

That would also be a very good step for my family. We met a guy through Instituto Cervantes and I have to mention it because he helped my son, who has a disability, grow into a wonderful kid and I will always be grateful for the care we received from Instituto Cervantes.

Will you pay attention to the teams you have coached, such as Real Madrid or Besiktas?

Sure, sure, but it's harder for me to give an opinion on them because I don't want to be one of those former coaches who behaves inappropriately in the football world, I want to be one of those who behaves appropriately.

Last question, sir, how do you watch football and rest now? Do you watch fewer games now than you did when you were a coach, or a lot more?

Well, almost. For example, last night, I watched four games that were being played at the time... I follow all the games that are on the air, and I like to watch them alone.

When you watch the game, do thoughts cross your mind about what you would change?

No, I don't have any nostalgia, not anymore. Not at all, not at all. I watch football because I enjoy it, because it entertains me, but not because I think, 'What would you do if you were there? ’ No, no, I don’t think so.