Switzerland coach Kuhn ends career a winner

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-16  |     ONLINE EDITION

KOEBI Kuhn's European Championship was over and so was his career. The Switzerland coach walked around the field at St. Jakob Park trailing a banner held by his players that read "Merci Koebi."

He finished as a winner.

"It was very emotional," Kuhn said after Sunday's 2-0 victory over Portugal. "Some of these players were 12 years with me. I can only thank them for wonderful times."

Despite the disappointment of failing to reach the quarterfinals, the 64-year-old coach said he was thrilled with the performance of his players and the courage they showed in his last match, even if they had already been eliminated.

"They gave something to the fans. I always say that's the most important thing," Kuhn said.

He said the white sign with black print and Swiss crosses was a "great surprise from all the players."

"I knew nothing about this banner," said Kuhn, who was elevated from youth coach to the national team in 2001, helping it qualify Euro 2004 in Portugal and reach the second round of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

This tournament started badly for the co-hosts when Kuhn's wife was hospitalized five days before the opener having lost consciousness in an epileptic fit.

Then came captain and record scorer Alexander Frei injuring his left knee in Switzerland's 1-0 opening loss to the Czech Republic. The Swiss conceded another late goal and lost to Turkey 2-1 Wednesday, becoming the first team eliminated in the 16-nation tournament. There was some good news that day: Kuhn's wife was woken from an induced coma.

"We really deserved more in the first two matches and that would have been enough for us," Kuhn said after Sunday's game. "Unfortunately we are going home."