Former Spain coach Luis Aragones passes away aged 75

World cup winner Luis Aragones died in Madrid clinic after a long a battle with illness

1 February 2014, 12:00am
by Staff Reporter

1 min read

Aragones led Spain to their first major trophy in 44 years when he guided them to 2008 European Championship glory

Former Spain coach Luis Aragones passed away this morning aged 75 after a long battle with illness.

The 75-year-old, who led the Spanish national football team to the European Championship in 2008, died in the Centro de Madrid clinic at 6.15 am.

Long regarded as under-achievers, Spain started their glorious run of success in world football under the tutorship of Aragones.

The 2008 victory paved the way for further triumphs under Vicente del Bosque at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

The often-eccentric coach was derided in the Spanish press for dropping established stars Raul and Michel Salgado before results started to improve.

He chose to stand down after the Euro success and then went on to coach Turkish side Fenerbahce for one season in 2009.