New Spain boss Inaki Saez wants Fernando Hierro to rescind his decision to quit the national team.

Hierro, the veteran Real Madrid captain and central defender, retired from Spain duty after the World Cup quarter-final exit against co-hosts South Korea. He said at the time that it had been a difficult decision but he had been considering it for some time.

Saez, who took after following the midsummer resignation of Jose Camacho, was disappointed with his team’s performance in the 1-1 midweek draw in Hungary.

He has apparently told federation officials that Hierro’s short-term return, while he constructs a new team among Spain’s promising youngsters, would be an insurance policy for the forthcoming European Championship qualifying campaign.
By Keir Radnedge