Kuhn content to go out in style
16 Jun 2008 - 08:20:32
Switzerland coach Kobi Kuhn was pleased to end his reign as national team manager with a victory as his team secured a 2-0 win against a weakened Portugal side.
The Swiss side had already been eliminated from the tournament they were co-hosting after suffering narrow defeats to Turkey and Czech Republic in their first two group games, but a Hakan Yakin brace at least meant they ended Euro 2008 in some style.
Kuhn said after the match: "Of course I am extremely pleased, but there is also nostalgia because, in the first two matches, we deserved at least one point and, the way it looks now, we might have qualified for the quarter-finals.
"We are out but the team were able to make a gift to the fans who have always believed in them. We were excellent and I think this team will remain in their hearts.
"During my time in charge we have been through some dire straits but, all in all, it has been a wonderful period.
"The legacy that (new coach) Ottmar Hitzfeld will find is a respectable one. We have a very young team but also some experienced players.
"There is room for improvement and, once they have more experience, they will be even better.
"I wish Hitzfeld all the best. Now I will just be a fan of Switzerland and I would like to receive the kind of gift the players gave to the crowd tonight."