Aragones to stay even if Spain lose against Argentina

MADRID, Oct 10 (Reuters) Spain coach Luis Aragones has said he will not resign even if his side lose their third game in a row when they play Argentina in tomorrow's friendly.

''Win or lose against Argentina, I'm going to carry on,'' the 68-year-old said in an interview on the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Web site today.

''I tend to react well in adverse situations and what has happened to me has also happened to other coaches.'' Spain have suffered two consecutive defeats in qualification for Euro 2008, losing 3-2 away to Northern Ireland last month and then going down 2-0 in Sweden on Saturday.

The defeats, which have left Spain in fifth place in Group F with just three points from three games, have resulted in calls for Aragones to resign or for the federation to sack him.

But the former Atletico Madrid and Real Mallorca coach said he was the victim of media persecution and insisted there was time to rectify the situation.

''There is an orchestrated campaign against me by certain media, who are blaming me for things that are not my fault.

''There is no cause for alarm other than the fact that we have suffered two unexpected defeats, but there is time to sort things out.

''We have still got nine games to play and we all know perfectly well what is happening in football: France lost to Scotland, Cyprus thrashed Ireland and Italy drew with Lithuania.'' RFEF president Angel Maria Villar gave his full backing to Aragones.

''Some people believe he should leave the job, but that is not the case with myself or the federation,'' Villar was quoted as saying by sports daily Marca today.

''Whatever happens against Argentina, Luis Aragones will remain as Spain coach. The only reason that he will not continue in the job is if the team does not qualify for the European championship.

''But I'm sure we are going to qualify because there are lots of games left.'' Aragones is expected to make several changes to the side that lost in Sweden, giving keeper Jose Reina a spell in goal in place of Iker Casillas and also including left back Antonio Lopez and midfielders Xabi Alonso and Andres Iniesta in the starting XI.

REUTERS AY PM1627