Vicente Del Bosque has been confirmed as the new manager of Spain, with his first match in charge a friendly with Austria on August 20.Del Bosque's appointment had been widely anticipated with Luis Aragones stepping down after Spain's Euro 2008 triumph.

Aragones had stated before the tournament that the summer spectacular in Austria and Switzerland would be his swansong with the national side and has since taken up a job with Fenerbahce in Turkey.

Former Real Madrid coach Del Bosque has been brought in with his first task to guide Spain to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

A Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) spokesman said: "The president of the Spanish Football Federation Angel Maria Villar proposed the nomination of Del Bosque to the executive committee which was accepted.

"He will be presented on Thursday."

The 57-year-old's first match at the helm will be on August 20 when Spain face Austria in a friendly, and his first competitive game comes on 6th September against Bosnia in Murcia.

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