Spain coach Camacho 'to step down'

Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho is ready to announce his resignation, according to reports in the Spanish press.

Just 10 days after his side were knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals by South Korea on penalties, Camacho is due to step down at a midday press conference.

Camacho's contract is scheduled to run until the Euro 2004 championship in Portugal.

Spain got off to their best World Cup start in half a century, winning their first four matches. But a rather fortunate win on penalties against the Republic of Ireland, was followed by a controversial exit at the hands of the co-hosts.

Spanish sports daily As said continued criticism of the coach's preparations for the World Cup and decisions he took during the tournament were the main reason for the move.

Camacho, 47, took over Spain in 1999, following the team's disastrous performance under Javier Clemente in the World Cup the previous year in France.

Under new management, the team greatly impressed all in the qualifiers for Euro 2000 but were then dumped out once again at the quarter-final stage by eventual winners France.