Kuhn - Time is right to go

No regrets for departing Swiss coach

By Ben Collins   Last updated: 16th June 2008

Jakob Kuhn Kobi Kuhn thumbs up Switzerland v Portugal

Kuhn: Makes Swiss farewell

Related links

Teams

Also see

Kobi Kuhn is adamant he chose the right time to step down as Switzerland coach.

The 64-year-old announced last year he would be bringing an end to his seven-year stint as Swiss coach after Euro 2008 and the co-hosts closed their campaign against Portugal on Sunday night.

The Swiss went into their final Group A game in Basel knowing they could not progress after losing to Czech Republic and Turkey but they gave Kuhn a fitting send-off, enjoying a 2-0 win against an under-strength Portugal side.

Kuhn will be succeeded by former Bayern Munich boss Ottmar Hitzfeld and feels the time was right to hand over the coaching reins.

"I don't have any feeling of regret about the job coming to an end because it's not like the decision was made yesterday," he said.

No regrets

"I said back in October last year that I would step down so there has been plenty of time to prepare. All things have to end some time and I am convinced that I am stopping at the right time, even if others may have different opinions on that.

"I am passing on a very young side, but at the same time one with lots of experience, and we have shown in this tournament that we can stand eye-to-eye with some of the top teams in Europe, even if the results didn't always go our way."

The win over Portugal was Kuhn's 32nd victory in 73 internationals, and he will be remembered as the first coach to lead Switzerland at three successive major tournaments.

The Swiss finished bottom of their group at Euro 2004 but were knocked out in the second round of the 2006 World Cup without even conceding a goal after losing in a penalty shoot-out against Ukraine.