VICENTE DEL BOSQUE, the coach behind Spain’s glorious run of three major titles, confirmed Monday that he is stepping down following the team’s failed attempt to retain its European Championship crown.

    The Spanish soccer federation said that Del Bosque told federation president Angel Maria Villar that he won’t “continue at the head of the national team.”

    “Vicente del Bosque marked a before and after in the history of the selection,” the federation said in a statement.

    The 65-year-old coach, who told Spanish radio last week that he didn’t intend to continue, had a contract that expires this month. Del Bosque guided Spain to the 2010 World Cup title and the 2012 European Championship, in a successful defense of its continental title won in 2008 under predecessor Luis Aragones.(SD-Agencies)