2014 World Cup - How Spain Can Rebuild!

For the 3rd time in 4 tournaments, the reigning world champions are out of the World Cup.

Spain's 2-0 defeat to Chile in Rio de Janeiro on the back of their 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the Netherlands in Salvador eliminated them from World Cup contention with a game in the group to play.

It marks the end of a glorious era for La Rojas which began with European triumph in 2008 and saw them become world champions for the first time 4 years ago.

Those glorious nights in Vienna, Johannesburg and Kiev seem a long time ago now and Spain look set for a major rebuild over  the next 2 years to regain their competitiveness.

Fernando Torres - scorer of the winner in Vienna and a brace in Kiev - along with Iker Casillas, Xavi and Xabi Alonso are probably set for the exit along with coach Vicente del Bosque who must feel that he has done all that can be done in what has been a highly successful period as coach of a national side so long fragmented by regional rivalries and the Real Madrid v Barcelona divide.

So what now for La Rojas?

Coach?

In a perfect world, Vicente del Bosque would stay given his record at club and country level - this World Cup notwithstanding, del Bosque will still be fondly remembered by the Spanish public and the football fraternity given his unprecedented achievements.

However, in a results oriented business, del Bosque will probably decide that enough is enough - a World Cup and 2 European Championships along with his 2 European Cup titles and La Liga titles with Real Madrid is enough to fill the nights with his grandchildren - and Spain will probably be looking for a new coach once the squad returns home.

The trouble is that Spain's best coaches are already occupying key roles at club level - Pep Guardiola would be ideal but he's already tied to Bayern Munich, while Luis Enrique has just taken the Barcelona job. The top roles in Spanish football are currently occupied by foreigners - Diego Simeone at Atletico and Carlo Ancelotti at Real - meaning that there aren't really many Spanish candidates standing out.

The late Tito Vilanova, so long enshrined in the Barca ethos of football, would have been perfect for the Spanish national job and could have continued the tikka-takka football that has made this Spanish side so great and delightful to watch.

Watch this space.

Lineup?

Real Sociedad's impressive young centre back, Inigo Martinez

While Spain is a bit short on international coaches, there is no doubt there is plenty of young talent coming through the academy ranks, i.e. de Gea, Koke, Inigo Martinez, Deulofeu, etc. Now could be their chance to rebuild a great side.

(4-3-3)

David de Gea (GK)
Alberto Moreno
Sergio Ramos (captain)
Inigo Martinez
Cesar Azpilicueta
Sergio Busquets
Koke
Isco
Iker Munain
Gerard Deulofeu
Alvaro Morata