Madrid  - Coach Vicente del Bosque said Tuesday he planned to retire from football once his current mission as Spain manager ends.

"I have entered the fifth stage in my sporting life and I think it is going to be the last in football. I hope it ends well and I hope I can fulfil my role as well as possible," he said in Madrid

The former Real Madrid coach took over the Spanish national team in September, succeeding Luis Aragones who stepped down after he led the team to the title at Euro 2008.

So far he has won all his games at the national team, and seems to be well on course to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. (dpa)