Spain Thinking Ahead In Final Qualifiers

[Folami David]

With holders Spain poised to secure their berth at next year's World Cup finals, thoughts are already turning to what might happen after the tournament when coach Vicente del Bosque's contract is due to expire.
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An avuncular character known for his ability to foster harmony in his hugely talented squad, Del Bosque will be 63 by then and whatever happens in Brazil next year he has already earned his place in the pantheon of soccer's greatest managers.
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After taking over from Luis Aragones following Spain's Euro 2008 victory, he led the Iberian nation to their first World Cup triumph in South Africa in 2010 and a second straight continental title in Poland and Ukraine two years later.
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As Spain prepare for their qualifiers against Belarus in Palma de Mallorca on Friday and Georgia in Albacete four days later, Del Bosque's record is an outstanding 65 wins from 80 matches, with eight draws and seven defeats, only three of which were in competitive games.