Reast in Peace Aragones

While the fledgling state is still not allowed to take part in competitive matches, friendlies can now be scheduled. 

Blatter said: 'The decision taken by the FIFA Emergency Committee represents a major boost for football development in Kosovo and it once again confirms the extraordinary power of our sport to bring people together.'

Spain were long regarded as under-achievers but Aragones changed that perception with the 2008 victory which paved the way for further triumphs under Vicente del Bosque at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

Aragones realised the need to freshen up the Spain dressing room, bringing an end to the international careers of Raul and Michel Salgado to create a new playing style based on the short-passing football that was bringing success at Barcelona.

The often eccentric coach was derided in the Spanish press for dropping the established stars before results started to improve.

He chose to stand down after the Euro success and then went on to coach Turkish side Fenerbahce which ended in failure after one season in 2009.

Aragones made his name as a player with Atletico between 1964 and 1974, making more than 350 appearances, winning three league titles and also representing Spain 11 times before hanging up his boots.

He then took up the reins with the Madrid club, the first of four spells at the helm in which he led them to six trophies and promotion from the Segunda Division in 2002.

Aragones also guided Barcelona to Copa del Rey success during his one season in charge of the Catalan club in 1987/88 and took over the national side in 2004.

As well as his achievements at club and national level, Aragones will also be remembered for the media storm he caused in October 2004 after allegedly making racist remarks about former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.

Aragones was apparently trying to motivate Henry's then Arsenal team-mate Jose Reyes during a training session ahead of Spain's World Cup qualifier against Belgium when the incident occurred. The Spain boss is alleged to have referred to Henry using racist language and told Reyes that he was the better player of the two.

The comments from Aragones were captured by cameras from TV station Antenna 3, prompting the coach to later issue an apology to the Frenchman.