Spain midfielder David Albelda has said replacing Luis Aragones as coach will not solve any of Spain's failings on the international stage. Aragones tendered his resignation after Spain suffered a 3-2 defeat to Northern Ireland in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) refused to accept his offer, and Aragones has agreed to continue in charge. Despite the 68-year-old's attempt to leave, Albelda says Spain's problems run deeper than simply whose managing the team. "Whether Luis Aragones is there or not, it will be very difficult to achieve anything because there is no unity, in fact it is more like disunity," Albelda said as reported by Sky Sports. Albelda, who was capped 38 times by his country, has criticized calls for a change-up in players saying he and other national team veterans targeted were not to blame for the side's failures at the World Cup. "Now people are asking for a change to the players: Carlos Marchena, Juanito, Michel Salgado, Raul and me," said the 31-year-old.
Aragones "It seems we are the ones to blame for the failure at the World Cup even though we rarely played." Spain, who did very well in the group stage at the finals, were surprisingly eliminated by France in the round of 16. In the Euro 2008 qualifiers, they managed only three points in their first two games and are ranked fifth in the Group F. The dismal start has made Albelda hesitant about the responsibility Spain's players have on their shoulders. "Spain could have a great team because it has great players. But whoever is chosen it will be very tough because there is so much pressure on the team. "The players and the fans are disillusioned. The fans identify more with their clubs, as do the players," the Valencia skipper said. Still, Spain has a chance for a difficult redemption, as they travel to face group leaders Sweden when the Euro 2008 qualifiers resume on October 7th.
