Kuhn sets Swiss dreaming

Swiss legend
Kuhn, 63, has given so much to Swiss football, first as a tenacious midfielder representing his country at the 1966 FIFA World Cup, then as coach of the national youth and Under-21 teams between 1996 and 2001. Now in charge of the seniors, he has presided over a golden era, with Switzerland set to compete in a third successive major tournament when UEFA EURO 2008™ kicks off after qualifying for the 2004 European finals and the 2006 World Cup. As usual, Kuhn's decision regarding the future is taken with the good of the national side in mind. "I've come to this decision in the best interests of Swiss football," he said. "I will have been in charge for seven years then. If not always golden times, they've been enjoyable times. I think it will be time for the team to have someone new on the bench and there should be sufficient time to choose a successor."

Common purpose
Kuhn was a legend in his playing days, winning 64 caps as well as claiming six titles in his 17 years with FC Zürich, the dominant force in the domestic game in the early 1970s. But he was not the obvious choice when he replaced Argentinian Enzo Trossero as Switzerland boss in summer 2001. Other than a brief spell at the Zürich helm in 1983/84, he had no senior experience and his appointment came as a surprise. It proved to be inspired, however, as Kuhn took the step up from the U21s in his stride. He was the first homegrown coach trusted with the top job since 1989 and has been adept at bringing the French and German footballing communities together. With Swiss soccer united with a common purpose he set about building a vibrant young squad that is still maturing.

Serious force
With the likes of Tranquillo Barnetta, Alexander Frei and Philippe Senderos improving by the year, the hope is they will flower fully on home soil at UEFA EURO 2008™, when Kuhn's side could be a force to be reckoned with. "Expectations are high. Three or four years ago I set us the goal of winning the European Championship in a strategy paper, knowing full well it was aiming high. But we had to set ourselves big goals and we still have to. Everyone will forgive us if we don't succeed but there is a team out there giving everything. The competition is very, very big."

Motivation
Unfortunately for Kuhn, Switzerland have been passive onlookers since qualifying began in August. The Swiss take their place automatically as co-hosts, which has obvious advantages but means they will not have played a competitive match between losing to Ukraine on penalties at the World Cup and launching UEFA EURO 2008™. Kuhn, though, is not short of motivational techniques to keep his men on top of their game. "Everyone knows this period is not easy, when you have already qualified as hosts. Therefore I have declared every fixture a qualifier, because the players have to qualify. The Swiss team may have qualified, but the players haven't yet. It is important that we live up to expectations."

'Tremendous atmosphere'
Expectations were already sky-high in Germany where the Swiss travelled en masse to support their side during the World Cup. Football in Switzerland has traditionally faced stiff competition for fans' affections from other sports such as ice hockey, but Kuhn has galvanised attention and it will rise further as the tournament approaches. "I expect a tremendous atmosphere," Kuhn said. "I reme