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- iHaveNet.com: Soccer
By Fitzgerald Cecilio
Madrid, Spain
Coach Vicente del Bosque has signed a contract extension with Spain, sticking with the team until its title defense in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and beyond.
"I have already renewed my contract as national team coach," said Del Bosque in an interview with Radio Marca.
The 61-year-old coach did not mention the length or amount of his new deal with the Spanish Football Federation but he is expected to stay with the team until after the 2014 World Cup.
Del Bosque's previous deal was set to expire after the European Championship but he signed an extension after Spain's first game at Euro 2012, a 1-1 draw with Italy in Gdansk, Poland.
The former Real Madrid player and coach took Spain's helm in 2008 after Luis Aragones led them to the Euro 2008 crown.
Spain is now eyeing to become the first team to win three major tournaments in a row after del Bosque led them to a first World Cup title in 2010.
The Spaniards play Croatia in their final Euro 2012 group match on Monday and will top their group with a victory for a place in the quarterfinals.
Before coaching Spain, Del Bosque coached Real Madrid from 1999 to 2003, steering the team to two UEFA Champions league Crown in 1999 and 2001.
Del Bosque and Italian Marcello Lippi are the only football managers who have won both the UEFA Champions League and the World Cup.
As a player, Del Bosque played midfielder in La Liga 441 times. He scored 30 total goals while playing for Castilla CF, Cordoba, Castellon and Real Madrid.
He won five league titles (1974-75, 1975-76, 1977-78, 1978-79, 1979-80) and four Copa del Rey titles (1973-74, 1974-75, 1979-80, 1981-82) with Real Madrid.
Internationally, Del Bosque received 18 caps with the Spanish national team, scoring one goal.
Spanish striker Fernando Torres and coach Vicente del Bosque slammed the idea the defending champions might play for a draw Monday against Croatia knowing a point would send both sides through to the next round of Euro 2012 at the expense of Italy. While there's still a slim chance they might not qualify, Spain said they'd only be playing for a win
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Soccer - Coach Del Bosque Signs Contract Extension with Spain