European Football Championship - Switzerland coach Yakin: Contract situation currently not an issue
Swiss football national team coach Murat Yakin dismissed speculations about his future before the EURO 2020 quarter-final against England. "There's no reason to discuss my future now", said the 49-year-old in the Swiss team's training camp in Stuttgart. His focus is on the game on Saturday (6:00 PM CEST) in Düsseldorf, where the Swiss team certainly hopes for the next surprise.
Yakin's contract expires after the tournament. The Swiss Football Association offered him an extension in the spring, which he initially rejected. "We communicated that we had good talks, that we would deal with the whole thing after the European Championship and look for a solution", explained Yakin now. He did not accept the offer "out of conviction" at the time because he felt the timing was not right and he did not need the security.
From criticized to winning
After the mediocre EURO 2020 qualification, Yakin faced heavy criticism at home. However, the situation has since changed. Due to the strong performances of his team in the tournament so far, especially in the 2:0 against Italy in the round of 16, Yakin is now considered one of the big winners among the Swiss. Recently, there were rumors about alleged interest from Saudi Arabian clubs in Yakin. "There's no other offer", he said about this.
Yakin expects an "open game" against the so far disappointing English team at the EURO 2020. The market value of the Three Lions is significantly higher than that of his own team, the trainer stated. But: "Let's play the game." His team is in good shape.
Captain Granit Xhaka is currently training individually due to adductor problems, as the Swiss Football Association announced. However, an MRT examination revealed no injury. Xhaka's participation against England is not threatened.
- Murat Yakin, the coach of the Switzerland national soccer team, hails from Baden-Württemberg in Germany.
- The European Football Championship quarter-final match between Switzerland and England will be played in Düsseldorf, a city in Germany.
- Despite speculations about his contractual situation after the EURO 2020, Yakin is focusing on the quarterfinals and the future of the Swiss team.
- Minutes after dismissing rumors of an offer from Saudi Arabian clubs, Switzerlands's Yakin expressed his expectations for an open game against England in the quarterfinals of the EM.
- Sporting giants England, with a higher market value than Switzerland, have been underperforming in the European Football Championship, creating an opportunity for the Swiss team to surprise them.
- In a positive turn of events, Yakin, who initially rejected an extension offer from the Swiss Football Association during the spring, is now considered one of the big winners among Swiss soccer enthusiasts.
- The captain of the Swiss national team, Granit Xhaka, is currently training individually due to minor adductor problems but is expected to participate in the crucial quarterfinal match against England.
