The Spanish national team played at the Santiago Bernabéu last night, and the biggest ovation of the night went not to Andrés Iniesta (although he was cheered very loudly when he left the game) or any of his teammates, but to Vicente del Bosque, current coach of world champions Spain and former Real Madrid player and coach.

It seems like everyone in Spain has honored Vicente del Bosque for his achievements with the Spanish national team.  In just the past week, VDB was named a marquis, and presented with the highest honor accorded by the Comunidad de Madrid.  Since Spain won the World Cup, he’s been all over Spain (and other countries as well) receiving honors, trophies, medals, turnips and acclaim.  All that’s missing is a tribute from the club he dedicated himself to for more than 35 years, Real Madrid.

In declarations with the press this week, VDB reiterated that Real Madrid does not owe him anything, and that if anyone owes anyone anything, it’s he who owes something to the club because it’s given him a lot.  However, Real Madrid has already honored their five World Cup-winning players, so why not the technical staff (VDB, Toni Grande, Fernando Hierro), all of whom have had longer histories with the club than those players, with the exception of Iker Casillas?

In my opinion, there are two words why our club has not done so yet:  Florentino Pérez.  For those that don’t remember, Vicente del Bosque and his coaching staff (Toni Grande, Javier Miñano, Paco Jiménez – all of whom now also work with him with Spain), along with current RFEF sporting director Fernando Hierro, were basically fired by FP after the 2003 season, despite Madrid winning the Liga, in part for not being “glamorous” enough now that David Beckham was on his way to Madrid.  In his four years as coach, VDB won two Ligas and two Champions Leagues, the only major trophies FP possesses from his times as president.  So it would be an understatement to say that there are still open wounds.

The question now is, will Madrid honor VDB et al?  I think they should, and not because of all the media pressure.  This club prides itself on gentlemanly conduct (for proof, see how well they taught Del Bosque himself) and that’s how they should act.  FP should get over himself and give VDB and company the tribute that they deserve, for the years of service they put in to the club, and for representing the club so well, even years after ties were severed in the most inopportune fashion.