Del Bosque backs Guardiola as top coach

Vicente del Bosque says he has voted for Pep Guardiola to win the 2012 FIFA Coach of the Year award.



The Spain coach was named on the final three-man shortlist for the prize, along with the former Barcelona boss and Jose Mourinho on Thursday.



"I voted for Guardiola because he is an important figure within our football," he told Terra.



"I did not do it on a whim, to support Barcelona or because of any 'anti-madridismo'. It would be good if he went back to work. He is young, has added things to the game and is passionate about this sport."



Del Bosque has also been impressed with the transition at Camp Nou since Tito Vilanova replaced Guardiola at the helm during the summer.



"Tito has taken over naturally. The important thing is that he has been able to maintain the enthusiasm of these players, who have won so much," he said.



The 61-year-old's next major assignment will be getting Spain ready to participate in next year's Confederations Cup and the former Real Madrid boss said preparation is absolutely paramount if his side are to continue their dominance.



"It will be a test ahead of the next World Cup. Our last experience of the competition before South Africa was good because we got to know everything that was waiting for us ahead of the World Cup," he said.



"In Spain we have lost a lot of the fear (we had before) of promoting a player from the 'cantera'. Clubs are conscious they have to take care of them and that benefits the national team. We have to trust the youngsters because they are very talented kids."

Salgado backs Del Bosque tactics

Former Spain defender Michel Salgado said criticism of coach Vicente del Bosque is unwarranted, following his unusual selection against Italy.



Cesc Fabregas scored on Sunday while deployed as a 'false nine', but Spain could only draw 1-1 with the Azzurri in the sides' Group C opener, with the defending champions unable to create many clear-cut chances until the introduction of striker Fernando Torres 17 minutes from time.



Torres or Fernando Llorente now look to be in line for a start against Ireland on Thursday, but Salgado said his former Real Madrid coach always intended to play a more orthodox striker against Giovanni Trapattoni's side.



"Torres or Llorente will play," Salgado told Goal.com.



"Not because of the criticism, however, but because Spain are up against a team with a different style.



"Del Bosque has a squad of players and is free to use tactical variants - that's what the group is there for.



"Criticism is unfair. Del Bosque won the World Cup (in 2010) and he has earned the freedom to decide which tactics he wants to use. Against Italy, he knew that they would defend with five men behind the ball and with players closing the gaps. That is why he chose five ball-players and started without a reference point in attack."



Salgado also claims the draw with Cesare Prandelli's men was a positive result for the defending champions.



"Italy are one of the top teams historically; they are one of the most decorated sides in the history of football," he said.



"We didn't see the best of Spain but it was a good start."



The former Madrid defender is also sure Torres will come good for his country.



"The only problem for Torres is that he didn't score. He came on and did well, and if he had scored we would all be raving about him," he said.



"He had a difficult season with Chelsea but scored some important goals towards the end and, if he is given the chance, he will score in this European Championship as well."

Spain 'may not play any strikers'

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque says the world and European champions could again line up without a recognised striker against Republic of Ireland.



Barcelona's attacking midfielder Cesc Fabregas played in a more advanced position as Spain drew 1-1 against Italy in their Euro 2012 opener.



"Against Ireland we will play a number nine - though it depends what you understand by a number nine," he said.

"David Silva is a forward; Andres Iniesta plays like one, so does Cesc."

Del Bosque's decision not to start with one of his three traditional strikers - Alvaro Negredo, Fernando Torres or Fernando Llorente - surprised many on Sunday, including opponents Italy.

But the coach said he would not be swayed by the opinions of outsiders.

"We have four options - the three everyone is aware of (Negredo, Torres and Llorente) and then that of Cesc," he said.



"Those are all very good attacking solutions. I am not unhappy with the options we have.

"The only thing that interests us is what is in the interest of the team. The opinions of others surely have interests distinct from our own."

Spain complained about the quality of the Gdansk pitch following their clash with Italy and they decided to train at their practice ground, rather than the stadium, on Wednesday.