Former national Spanish football coach dies

MADRID: The Spanish football federation says former Spain coach Luis Aragones, who helped shape the team´s rise from perennial underachiever to global powerhouse by winning the 2008 European Championship, has died. He was 75.

In a statement Saturday, the federation said Aragones died at a Madrid hospital.

It did not disclose the cause of death.

Federation president Angel Maria Villar said Aragones would be remembered as "very special."

Aragones quit as Spain coach after leading the team to its first major title at Euro 2008.

It went on to win the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 under his successor, Vicente del Bosque. (AP)