Del Bosque rules out Real Madrid return

Former Real Madrid coach Vicente Del Bosque said Wednesday he won't consider a return to the club because of the manner of his dismissal nearly two years ago.

Although current coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has hauled the club back into contention for the league title, Spanish media reports say he may be ousted at the end of the season.

"I will never return to Madrid as I consider myself a man of principle who doesn't do things for personal motives," Del Bosque said in a TV interview. "I could never have imagined that, after so many years with Real Madrid, I would find myself in such a cold situation."

Del Bosque was fired in June 2003, a day after guiding Madrid to a record 29th Spanish league title. He led the team to two Champions League triumphs and two league titles during 3 1/2 years in charge.

His dismissal severed a 38-year connection with Madrid. He played for the club for 11 seasons, winning the title five times. Before he was head coach, he worked on the training staff for many years.

Del Bosque said his sacking was never explained to him. Madrid president Florentino Perez said publicly at the time the team needed "modernizing."

"This was what bothered me most and what was the worst of all," Del Bosque said. "Those words which were dispatched to the press ... were what hurt me the most."