Vicente del Bosque steps down as Spain coach after Euro 2016 exit

Vicente del Bosque has confirmed that he is stepping down as Spain manager following their Euro 2016 exit to Italy.

Del Bosque took the Spain reins after the team's Euro 2008 triumph and led the side to glory at the 2010 World Cup and at Euro 2012, but Spain failed to make it out of the group stage at the 2014 World Cup and then struggled this summer.

"Of course, I have no intention of continuing," he said in an interview with Radio Nacional de Espana on Thursday. "It was a decision I had taken beforehand."

Joaquin Caparros and Paco Jemez had earlier both declared their intention to become the next Spain manager if Del Bosque decided to step down.

Former Sevilla coach Caparros and Jemez, who joined La Liga side Granada on a three-year contract earlier this month, are among the candidates to take charge of a national team that suffered an exit from Euro 2016 after Monday's 2-0 defeat to Italy in the last 16.

"Of course I would be thrilled to be the next Spain coach just like any other coach," Caparros told Cadena Ser radio before Del Bosque's departure.

"But it's a delicate issue because Del Bosque continues in charge and he is the coach of coaches.

"We have a great coach and I hope that for the good of our football, Vicente continues.