Former Spain coach Luis Aragones dies (AFP) Saturday 1 February 2014 Luis Aragones, the coach of Spains 2008 UEFA EURO-winning side, died on Saturday at the age of 75, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced. The RFEF is sorry to announce the death of Luis Aragones, read a statement on their website. The RFEF wants to express its pain and consternation at the death of a man who was a player and coach at a number of Spanish clubs and around the world, and the Spanish national team coach at the beginning of its most glorious era of success at international level. As well as the Spanish national side, Aragones managed ten different clubs during a 35-year coaching career. He is most fondly remembered at Atletico Madrid, with whom he won the Spanish La Liga in 1976/77 and three Copa del Rey titles across three spells in charge. Luis Aragones was a great player and coach, but more than that a great person and friend, said the Atletico president Enrique Cerezo in a statement on the clubs website. He was an Atletico man above all else. I want to express on behalf of all those at the club our condolences to the family. His crowning glory came on the international stage, though, in Austria and Switzerland in 2008 when he guided the until-then perennially underachieving Spanish national side to their first major tournament victory since 1964. Rest in peace boss. Thank you for everything Cesc Fabregas, Barcelona midfielder pays tribute to Luis Aragones One of the most influential people I have known has gone and someone to who football should be grateful, said Iker Casillas, who Aragones made captain of the side in 2006. Personally, I owe him a lot. He influenced me a lot from the age of 26 on. I have always had a lot of love for him and it appears the feeling was mutual. I want to send my condolences to his family. Luis will always be in a privileged position in the history of our football. Despite emerging victorious over Germany in the final in Vienna, Aragones stood by his pre-tournament decision to step down as Vicente del Bosque took over to guide Spain to their first FIFA World Cup™ in 2010 before retaining their European title two years later. Without doubt, he led the way in this extremely succesful era, said Del Bosque. It is a sad day for our football. We have lost a key man in the history of modern sport. Aragones returned to management just once after leaving La Seleccion, at Turkish side Fenerbahce, but his reign was short lived as he was sacked after a disappointing first season in charge. Tributes to Aragones poured in from those he was in charge of throughout his illustrious career. Today someone who has made an impression as much on me as a person as in my professional career has left us. Rest in peace boss. Thank you for everything, Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas posted on social networking site Instagram alongside a picture of he and Aragones. One of the greats has left us, it is a very sad day, added Real Madrids Xabi Alonso on Twitter. One of his former clubs, Sevilla, also announced they will wear black armbands in their La Liga match against Malaga on Saturday night.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 14:26:50 +0000
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