Rehhagel to remain in charge

Rehhagel: Going nowhere

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The Greek Football Association has confirmed that Otto Rehhagel will remain as coach until 2010 despite his team's disappointing performance at Euro 2008.

The defending champions still have one more Group D game to play but have already been eliminated after defeats by Sweden and Russia.

Rehhagel took charge in 2001, leading the Greeks to the Euro 2004 crown against all the odds, and he recently signed an extension to 2010.

The German coach has been criticised for adopting some defensive tactics that have yet to yield a goal at Euro 2008, but Greek FA chief Vassilis Gagatsis insists they will not be getting rid of the German coach.

Continued support

"We just signed a new contract and we will continue together until 2010," he said.

"It is easy to change a coach but trust and continued support is what has kept this team together.

"He is the architect of Greek sport's biggest success," Gagatsis added. "In Greece we have the tendency to flatten everything if it doesn't work.

"But look at World Cup winners Italy and finalists France, who are also close to the exit. They have not started such a discussion.

Looking forward

"We must not stick in the past and have to look to the future. We must give the team all it needs, that bit extra, so it can start its World Cup qualifying campaign fully focused."

Greece will finish their Euro 2008 campaign against Group D winners Spain on Wednesday before Rehhagel turns his attention to their 2010 World Cup qualifiers, which begin with a double-header against Luxembourg and Latvia in September.