Euro 2016: Spain wave goodbye to a golden generation after defeat to Italy

SPAIN'S Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Italy marks the end of a golden generation in the history of international football.

Rarely has there been a national team as devastating as the one the Spaniards have produced over the past eight years.

But this early exit from the tournament, on the back of similar disappointment at the World Cup in 2014, shows time has caught up with Vicente Del Bosque and his squad.

The warning signs have been there for some time, having lost six matches in competitive and friendly matches in the past years leading up to the 2-0 defeat to Italy.

And no there can me no doubt there has to be a changing of the guard as far as the Spanish national team is concerned.

Del Bosque already had his critics before the tournament started, and there seems little hope the coach who steered his men to a World Cup and a European Championship will stay on in charge.

The international game has evolved over the past few years, with teams far more adept at countering the brilliant passing play Del Bosque favoured for his team.

Spain still have excellent players, but when they come up against difficult opposition they seem unable to change to a different approach under the manager.

Del Bosque, rather like England coach Roy Hodgson, always sticks to what he knows. And that has caused issues.

Cesc Fabregas was largely anonymous against Italy, but fans were asking why he was playing and not the threatening Atletico Madrid star Koke.

And just ask David De Gea how frustrating it was to be kicking his heels as understudy to Iker Casillas when the former Real Madrid man was past his best.

Spain's team is full of star players, with big personalities. It wasn't like that when this group of players came back together to win Euro 2008.

Back then, Spain had a point to prove - to show they were not serial flops in major tournaments. They were all united in one cause.

The 2010 World Cup followed, inspired by the brilliance of Xavi and Andreas Iniesta in midfield, but also on the back of a collective team spirit.

And it was no surprise four years ago when they were crowned Europe's best yet again, even though the likes of Germany had shown signs they were beginning to catch up ground.

But with the success came egos. Club rivalries between Barcelona and Real started to have an impact on the squad.

It is not an easy job managing the likes of Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and co.

And with Xavi retiring and Iniesta's brilliance starting to diminish, all of a sudden Spain became vulnerable - but Del Bosque failed to adjust.

Spanish supporters are in no doubt the coach is one of the key reasons behind their country's demise.

Time, though, is the biggest factor.

It has caught up with a brilliant generation who took international football to a whole new level.

We should be thankful we were lucky enough to witness it.