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Slovakia have appointed Jan Kocian as national coach after his predecessor Dusan Galis resigned to pursue a political career.

Kocian served as assistant coach for the national squad in 1993-1995 and his most recent appointment was as head coach of German second league team Sportfreunde Siegen.

Slovakia are third in their Euro 2008 qualifying group, with six points from four games. However, in a difficult group containing both Germany and the Czech Republic, their chances of reaching the finals appear slim.

Nonetheless, Kocian has not given up hope of presiding over an unlikely renaissance in their fortunes.

“I am not coming to the Slovak national team as a messiah,” Kocian said. “But I do not think hope for qualifying for Euro 2008 is lost yet.”

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