Vicente del Bosque may look like a grumpy man but we would still love to sit down and have a pint with him.
The former Real Madrid manager hopes to guide his native country to their third European Championships success in a row next summer in France and Spain’s preparations for the tournament are already underway.
Next week while the Republic of Ireland are slogging it out with Bosnia in a play-off, England will take on the 2008 and 2012 Euro winners, with Diego Costa back in the squad for the friendly having missed out on the last two games of their Euro qualifying campaign due to suspension.
Having won all 10 qualifying games England sailed into next year’s event and naturally that’s generated much optimism the country can finally end their international barren spell of fifty years without a trophy (1966 in case you have somehow forgotten).
However, speaking at today’s squad announcement the Spain manager revealed that he has probably not seen any England game for the last 20 years as he rolled out this cliche about how the ‘Three Lions’ play their football
Del Bosque with straight face: "England qualified really well, quick players, powerful in midfield & back. They're candidate to win Euros."
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) November 6, 2015
Del Bosque again being nice: "England are an extraordinary team, if they come together they are a real contender for Euros.”
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) November 6, 2015
He may as well have said that Ireland have great fans and are very physical, or that Italians are good at the back.
Perhaps he was thinking of the last time Wayne Rooney had a decent game.
Wayne Rooney looks powerful playng behind the striker! He loves being involved so can't wait up there. England now playing #football. #Euro
— Cranceswiggles (@Clivetayt) September 8, 2015
Or maybe Vicente was talking about the England rugby team from this year’s Six Nations.
Huge win for England. Powerful strong pack won it in the second half. Haskell MOTM for me. Impressive deserved victory.
— calummcclurkin (@calummcclurkin) February 6, 2015
Or last year’s November internationals
https://twitter.com/stickrugby/status/538713215740674048
We’re sure that most English fans will take his comments with a powerful pinch of salt.
