Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has decided to retire from football management after the defending champions were knocked out of Euro 2016 by Italy at the finals in France.

“Of course, I have no intention of continuing (as Spain coach),” the country’s World Cup-winning manager said in an interview with Radio Nacional.

“It was a decision I had taken beforehand. I still have a contract until July 31 (when) I will retire from football.”

Spain, who were trying to win their third straight European title, lost 2-0 to Italy in the last 16 on Monday.

“It was difficult to win again,” said the 65-year-old Del Bosque.

“We didn’t have a good match against Italy but the group stages were good.”

Spain won their opening two games against the Czech Republic and Turkey but lost their final group match to Croatia, who pipped them to top spot in the section leaving Del Bosque’s team with a tricky clash against familiar foes Italy in the last 16.

“What was always going to be the most difficult was to win (the title) again,” he said.

Del Bosque led his country to their first World Cup title in 2010 and followed that triumph by clinching Spain’s second successive European Championship two years later.