Vicente del Bosque, former national coach, presented this Monday in a face-to-face event the “Vicente del Bosque Academy” by Banco Santander, where he stated the importance of “transmitting values through sport” and technical training “because without technique you cannot play”.

The coach of the combined world champion in 2010 was accompanied at the table by different political and sports personalities who attended the Work Café Santander.

The journalist Roberto Gómez was in charge of presenting an act in which the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez Almeida; the president of Extremadura, Guillermo Fernández Vara; the president of Castilla y León, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco; the director of Commercial Banking of Banco Santander, Ángel Rivera; and the president of the academy, Pau Albertí.

All the companions showed their affection and gratitude to the figure of Vicente del Bosque for everything he meant to the world of Spanish football and for his current commitment to the sport.

Former footballer and coach Fernando Hierro assured that “his figure goes beyond sports”. “This is a small part of his legacy, we must not forget that he has been a great coach. Institutions and individuals have a responsibility to leave his legacy,” added the former national coach at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

In his speech to explain the project, Del Bosque did not miss the opportunity to thank those present for their words, but declared that this is not an act of homage to him” since they came to “present the project” which will be based in the localities of Estepona, Alalpardo and Calviá among others of the Spanish geography.

“We want to introduce them (boys and girls) to the game. Without technique it is impossible to play, we are committed to that and we will improve technically. We also have to be realistic with our youngsters and tell them that being a soccer player is practically impossible, although that does not mean don’t have dreams,” he said.

José Luis Martínez Almeida, mayor of Madrid, highlighted the importance of the figure of Vicente del Bosque in Madrid as “creator of `La Fábrica´” and in Spain as a “meeting point for citizens”: “You are a mirror in which look at us”.

“This is going to be a success, Vicente. You could make a campus of politicians so that we behave,” joked the mayor.

(c) EFE Agency