Saez saga over as coach says: I quit

25 June 2004

MADRID — The row over the Spanish football team’s early exit from the Euro 2004 tournament finally appeared over Friday after the coach decided to resign – for definite this time.

Iñaki Saez told a press conference: “I am going, my decision is irrevocable.”

It ended almost a week of speculation and recrimination after Spain lost to Portugal on Sunday 1-0 and went out of the competition in the opening stages.

Much of the Spanish media demanded the resignation of the manager.

But Saez, 61, announced Tuesday that he would stay on as coach despite Spain’s elimination.

The next day, after seeing the hostile reaction this provoked in the media, Saez said he was upset and wanted to talk to the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF), who are his bosses.

After reading the sports press – much of which was against him – Saez said he felt he was in a weakened position.

The RFEF scheduled a board meeting Friday to decide the future of  coach Iñaki Saez.

After the meeting, a grim-faced Saez finally said he had had enough and was going.

A replacement has not yet been named.
 
[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news