Date of birth: 23 December 1950
Nationality: Spanish
Playing career: Real Madrid Castilla, Córdoba CF, CD Castellón, Real Madrid CF
Coaching career: Real Madrid Castilla, Real Madrid CF, Beşiktaş JK, Spain

• Came up through the youth ranks at Real Madrid and became an important member of the team as a defensive midfielder during the 1970s, winning five league titles in six seasons and four Spanish Cups.

• Capped 18 times, Del Bosque ended Spain career at the 1980 UEFA European Championship in Italy – his only major tournament as a player. Also appeared for Madrid in the 1981 European Champion Clubs' Cup final against Liverpool FC.

• Joined Madrid's coaching staff shortly after stopping playing in 1984 and spent many years in youth development, stepping up in 1994 and 1996 as the first team's interim coach.

• Given the job full time in November 1999, he won seven trophies including two UEFA Champions League triumphs and two Spanish titles. Left in 2003 and resurfaced briefly in Turkey with Beşiktaş.

• Succeeded Luis Aragonés as Spain coach in July 2008. Set a new global record by winning his opening 13 matches and steered the European champions to the 2010 FIFA World Cup with a perfect qualifying record. Went on to guide Spain to a first world title in South Africa with a final victory against the Netherlands and subsequently took team to UEFA EURO 2012 with wins in all eight qualifiers.