Hickersberger calls time on Austria

Josef Hickersberger has resigned as coach of UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts Austria with immediate effect.

Elimination
The 60-year-old informed Austrian Football Association president Friedrich Stickler of his decision today, citing personal reasons. "I am tired – I need time off to recharge the batteries," he is quoted as saying. "The chapter is closed." Hickersberger, who took charge of the national team on 1 January 2006, was unable to guide Austria out of Group B at the EURO, gaining just one point from the matches against Croatia, Poland and Germany. "We were very well-organised in defence, but we just couldn't get things right in attack and that made the difference," Hickersberger said. A former Austrian international, the coach had also overseen his country's campaign at the 1990 FIFA World Cup.