As fans in Istanbul patiently await the arrival of their new coach, fans in Spain are pleading with their national team boss to stay.  At nearly 70 years of age, Luis Aragones is a wanted man by multiple parties.  It was rumored on Monday that other clubs had swooped in to offer the soon-to-be Fenerbahçe coach just as the Spanish Futbol Federation is asking Aragones to reconsider his decision to leave.  Despite all of the attention, reports out of Spain today indicate that the coach known as "El Sabio" will be in Istanbul this week to finalize his deal with the Canaries.

If there is anyone who understands what Luis Aragones is going through, it may be Turkish National Team coach Fatih Terim.  Both coaches were heavily criticized before Euro 2008 began, and both coaches announced that the tournament would be their finale with their respective national teams.  After a fantastic run for each (and a title for Aragones), each country's futbol federation has asked their boss to stay on board.  For Türkiye, the pleas paid off by inking Terim to a new deal through 2012.  Could Spain's perseverance keep Aragones on the sideline there as well?

After winning the Euro 2008 title, the Spanish National Team toured Madrid on Monday to thousands of cheering fans.  The squad met with the Spanish royal family and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on Tuesday and coach Luis Aragones was begged to stay on board with the national team.  Goalkeeper Iker Casillas led chants of "Luis, stay with us" during the celebrations on Monday.  Still, Aragones confirmed that he will keep his word and leave the national team.

Spanish newspaper Marca reports that Aragones will be in Istanbul on Thursday to finalize his deal with Fenerbahçe.  A week ago today the club announced that it had agreed to a preliminary two-year deal with the coach to lead the Canaries.  The news comes just as Spanish newspaper AS reports that the Spanish Futbol Federation has offered Aragones a new two-year deal, which he reportedly turned down.

Despite his decision to keep his word, Aragones praised his Spanish players.  "We're all involved in this: the federation, the players. Because you, you are the best players in the world, not just Europe,' he was quoted by ESPNSoccernet.

"At the start people thought I was saying that to motivate them, but little by little they realized it is true.  There is no team in the world who plays the ball better than us. Keep on working in this way, and achieving more success."

Aragones told fans and media on Monday that the players' words had touched him following Sunday's championship.  "I don't show what I feel inside, that's just my way,' he said.  "I feel overwhelmed and this is very emotional. I'm not one for big shows of feeling, I don't often show my emotions, but I'm overwhelmed after everything I have heard the players say, I'm emotional," the new Fener boss said.

While Aragones was praising his players, he was receiving a good deal of accolades himself.  His adversary on the sideline, Russian and former Fener coach Guus Hiddink was quoted in Turkish newspaper Zaman saying of Aragones "He's getting older and going to the club where I started my international career, at the age of 70 -- and I have a lot of respect for that,” Hiddink said. “You say I have worked all over the world, but I can say I have also had an experience in Spain and when you know how to work and survive Spain then you are a big man -- and he is a big man.”

With Aragones expected to make his Fenerbahçe deal official on Thursday, the club hopes his coaching momentum carries into their season this fall.  Only time will tell if the man known as "El Sabio (The Wise Man)" can earn the same reputation in Turkish futbol.