The Greek Football Federation (EPO) has insisted that Otto Rehhagel will stay as coach of the new European champions until after the 2006 World Cup finals.

“Mr Rehhagel will stay with the Greek football federation for the next two years,” said Vassilis Gagatsis, EPO president.

Following his stunning success with Greece, Rehhagel has been linked with the vacant position of Germany coach following Rudi Voller’s resignation.

“That Germany may want him is totally logical. When I asked him after the (Euro) championships to extend it until 2008 he said to me that he didn’t want to end up in a wheelchair (as a result of continuing to coach into old age),” Gagatsis said.

“It’s self-evident he will stay in Greece. Otto Rehhagel is one of us now…a man who believed in us (from the start), a man who believed in Greece.”

Gagatsis said the 65-year-old Rehhagel had renewed his contract two weeks before Euro 2004.

“Mr Rehhagel has had other offers in the past and he has honoured his contract. There is no problem,” Gagatsis added.