Del Bosque hurt by Real Madrid cold shoulder
Former Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque has made an uncharacteristic attack on the club for the way in which he was cast aside at the end of last season.
Former Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque has made an uncharacteristic attack on the club for the way in which he was cast aside at the end of last season.
In an interview broadcast on Spanish state television, the quiet-spoken 52-year-old said that the club had started to give him the cold shoulder when Real overhauled league leaders Real Sociedad in the final stages of the season.
"From the day we beat Atletico Madrid 4-0 and looked as though we would have a good chance of taking the title, I noted that no one at the club seemed pleased at what had happened."
"There was a certain coldness from inside the club as if their plans had been upset and they didn't know what will do next. I will remember that attitude for ever."
Real went on to win the league title - the 29th in their history - but less than 24 hours later Del Bosque and club captain Fernando Hierro were dismissed.
Former Manchester United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz was later appointed to take over as the new coach.
Club president Florentino Perez justified his decision by saying that he felt that Del Bosque's coaching techniques were becoming outdated and did not meet the needs of the team.
Del Bosque, who had been involved with the club for over 30 years as a player and coach, has strongly rejected such suggestions and hit back by saying that the decision to get rid of him was a mistake.
"The president went mad trying to explain what he had done, but he himself once told me that if you have to spend so much time justifying a decision then it must have been done badly."
Del Bosque added that he felt that his achievements at the club had deliberately been undermined since his departure.
"I notice that lately they have tried to avoid any reference to me and my coaching staff, for example they cut interviews on the club's web page in which Roberto Carlos answered questions about me and Fernando Hierro."
The former Real coach, who led the team to two league titles and two European Cups during his four-season spell in charge, has yet to find a job with another club.