Switzerland coach: Kobi Kuhn
The 64-year-old is a Swiss football legend and one of the country’s greatest players.
He won 62 caps between 1962 and 1975 and appeared at the 1966 World Cup finals, when he was famously described as playing “with honey in his boots”.
Was in charge of the national youth sides for 12 years before taking the senior team job in 2001, as the country’s first home-grown national coach since 1989.
A perfectionist with a dry sense of humour who will be succeeded by Ottmar Hitzfeld after Euro 2008.
What would be a good tournament for you?
As one of the host nations we must benefit from it. For me a spot in the quarter-finals is the absolute minimum. I don’t want to contemplate for a moment playing three games and then leaving the competition.
What is your opinion of your group?
That everything is possible. It could have been far worse – for instance, if we’d been thrown in with Germany or Spain, teams with which we traditionally have great problems. If the FIFA ranking list is anything to go by we have no chance as we must play the teams placed sixth, eighth and 16th in the world while we are only 44th. But history tells us that host nations often do well. Portugal, the Czech Republic and Turkey all play attractive football. But I’m reassured by the thought that we’ve beaten them all in Switzerland. While Portugal are probably the group favourites, they had their difficulties in qualification and are definitely not a team of extraterrestrials.
How important is your opening game, against the Czechs?
Vital. The winners will have a wonderful chance of reaching the knockout stages, the losers will straight away be under huge pressure. A successful tournament is often built on momentum. Three points to begin with and the country will really be behind us. The confidence of the players will be boosted, everyone will be pulling together. Then we can give anyone a game, as we proved during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers and finals.
Are you concerned about facing Turkey after the violent incidents that marred the World Cup qualifying play-off
in Istanbul?
Not in the slightest. We have dwelled for too long on what happened that night. I have every confidence that Turkish and Swiss fans will be concentrating only on football and not things that should have been forgotten long ago.
Who are your favourites to win the European title?
Germany look strong and I expect them to build on their excellent World Cup. Spain and Portugal seem impressive, too. They are not the only ones. It’s a quite open field.
Who will be the surprise package?
Why not us?
Who is your most important player?
First of all, we need to operate effectively as a unit, with every player at his optimum. Within a good organisational framework, I’m expecting much from Tranquillo Barnetta in midfield. He has made great strides at Leverkusen and has all the physical, technical and tactical qualities. His mobility and pace make him an asset to us.
Why are you retiring as national coach after the finals?
Simply because I’ve been in the job for seven years and it seems a natural time to close the book.
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