Former Real Madrid GM Jorge Valdano admits he's to blame for Vicente del Bosque's exit.

Del Bosque enjoyed a trophy-laden four years in the Spanish capital, before going on to win the World Cup with Spain last summer in South Africa.

"I consider myself responsible for his departure, I have to admit it. At that time [2003], we felt that we were at the end of a cycle, as my time as general director was coming to end. I told Vicente about the decision and he was respectful," Valdano stated.

"I've never been a friend of Vicente's because they simply didn't allow it. I was not a team-mate and had a smooth relationship with him, but we weren't so intimate that we speak of friendship."