Spain mourns passing of former coach Luis Aragonés
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| Spain's players toss coach Luis Aragonés into the air after their triumph at Euro 2008 Photo: Getty Images |
Reports in the Spanish media claimed Aragonés was admitted to the Clínica Cemtro de Madrid on Friday but died the next day after losing a battle against Leukaemia.
"It was cancer and Leukaemia which took him from us," Doctor Pedro Guillén told Cadena COPE.
"He suffered several relapses and was admitted to hospital a number of times during the past two months and his condition gradually weakened him.
"He was relaxed about his condition and resigned about what to expect. He didn't suffer greatly because it wasn't a lengthy battle but he did suffer."
Nicknamed El Sabio de Hortaleza (The Wise Man from Hortaleza), Aragonés will mostly be remembered for leading Spain to victory at Euro 2008 and paving the way for a golden era in Spanish football.
While Aragonés stepped down after the tournament, the team went on to win the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 under his successor Vicente del Bosque.
He was also a successful coach at club level most notably with Atlético Madrid, leading them to the La Liga title in 1977 as well as three Copa del Rey trophies.
A statement from the Spanish Football Federation read: "The Spanish Football Federation wants to express its grief and shock at the death of Luis Aragonés, former player and coach of several Spanish and global clubs and the Spain national team at the beginning of their glorious success on the worldwide stage."
Tributes to Aragonés have also been flooding in on Twitter, particularly from the Spain players.
Had the good fortune to be coached at Barca by Luis Aragonés. Great leader and wonderful character. Sad to hear he's passed away #RIP
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 1, 2014DEP una de las personas más influyentes en mi trayectoria profesional. Gracias por tanto "Mister"!! pic.twitter.com/wowsMKzteB
— Iker Casillas (@CasillasWorld) February 1, 2014Un día muy triste. Ha fallecido el sabio Luis Aragonés. Nunca podré olvidar tus consejos y enseñanzas. DEP Mister..!! pic.twitter.com/37RhPRtVhr
— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) February 1, 2014Today and forever the football world will cry your loss but you will always be by our side.Rest In Peace LuisAragones pic.twitter.com/c0THQUBqec
— Álvaro Negredo 9 (@_AlvaroNegredo_) February 1, 2014Muchas gracias por todo lo que nos enseñaste, por todo lo que nos diste...Te recordaremos. Hasta siempre míster. DEP. pic.twitter.com/6WxNJ1M0r0
— Andrés Iniesta (@andresiniesta8) February 1, 2014Descanse en paz míster. Gracias por todo! pic.twitter.com/pXh6ZZuOFt
— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) February 1, 2014Que grande has sido, Luis. ¡Y que grande es el vacío que dejas! Descansa en paz, abuelo. pic.twitter.com/9dgCmEiQmW
— Álvaro Arbeloa (@aarbeloa17) February 1, 2014DEP Luis Aragonés . Gracias Mister ,nunca podré agradecerte lo suficiente todo lo que hiciste por mi. pic.twitter.com/uEYexINWza
— Fernando Torres (@Torres) February 1, 2014Es un día muy triste. Se va uno de los más grandes. Gracias por enseñarme gran parte de lo que soy. DEP Luis Aragonés pic.twitter.com/VUzQsmRnQL
— David Villa (@Guaje7Villa) February 1, 2014Día triste para el mundo del fútbol. Gracias por tanto mister. Un fuerte abrazo a toda su familia. #HastaSiempreLuis pic.twitter.com/FNLdAAsjhc
— Carles Puyol (@Carles5puyol) February 1, 2014Don't forget to join us on Twitter and Facebook for more updates!
