Madrid, May 12 (IANS) Former Spain coach Javier Clemente has said he was the ideal candidate to replace Vicente del Bosque following this summer's European Championships.
The 66-year-old is currently coaching Libya. He has previously led Cameroon and Serbia, as well as a host of clubs such as Athletic Club Bilbao, Atletico Madrid and Espanyol, reports Xinhua.
He was the Spain coach between 1992 and 1998, leading them to two World Cups and the 1996 European Championships.
Speaking on Spanish radio show "The First Touch" on Wednesday, Clemente said he thought the current Spanish national side, who are the reigning European champions, "looked good, but I don't think they have the depth to be champions again."
Del Bosque, who led Spain to the 2010 World Cup title and the 2012 European Championship, is expected to step down after this summer's tournament and there is a debate over who should replace him, with coaches such as Joaquin Caparros, Luis Enrique (FC Barcelona) or Ernesto Valverde (Athletic Club Bilbao) mentioned as possible replacements.
Clemente, however, has no doubts who is the best man for the job. "I am," he said. "I loved it when I was in the job and it is the happiest I have been."
"It is a pleasure to be able to coach a national team," said Clemente. He said that he enjoyed the "press conferences where you can face the journalists who want to try and get you sacked and send them back home."
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