EURO 2008: Coachwatch

UPDATE 24/6/08 - Another one bites the dust

With Holland eliminated having been knocked out by Russia, Marco Van Basten´s reign as Dutch coach comes to an end. For so long they looked like the team to beat, but unfortunately for fans of the Oranje, they crumbled when it came to the knockout stages. Another managerial casualty is Josef Hickersberger, who has resigned from his post as Austria coach claiming to be ´empty and tired.´ Somewhat like the team he was coaching then. Roberto Donadoni has also shifted dangerously towards the exit door as Italy coach after a rather lacklustre tournament, as is now in our ´In The Balance´ category. Will Marcelo Lippi replace him at the Azzurri helm? Have your say in the comments field.

COACHWATCH BACKGROUND: With minutes remaining in Basle, and Germany heading towards victory over Portugal, Luiz Felipe Scolari glanced down at the ground looking flustered, lowered his brow and let out a long, sorry sigh. Hoping for a miracle and yet simultaneously aware that as the minutes ticked by his side´s exit from EURO 2008 was imminent, he looked forlorn. Alas there was to be no great escape, and as the final whistle blew it not only secured Germany´s triumphant passage to the semi-finals but also brought to a close Scolari´s five-year tenure in charge of Portugal.

The charismatic, sometimes temperamental Brazilian has for the most part been successful at Portugal. Though failing at the final hurdle at EURO 2004, he has competently overseen the development of the Iberian nation into one of European football´s stronger sides, and he was also responsible for guiding them to only their second ever World Cup semi-final in 2006. He now heads off for pastures new in West London at Chelsea.

One of the givens of international football tournaments is the unavoidable fact that, as sure as night follows day, the international manager merry-go-round swings furiously into action as the competition unfurls. It is with this in mind that we introduce EURO 2008 Coachwatch to keep track of the teams and coaches that end up going their separate ways during and after the tournament. Here at Just-Football, like the CCTV cameras that perenially survey the streets of London we will be keeping a close eye on the sixteen coaches that led the nations they represent into battle in Austria and Switzerland, and pointing out those who fall by the wayside as the competition proceeds.

At the present moment some are gone (Kobi Kuhn, Scolari), some are wobbling (Domenech) and some still stand tall (Van Basten, Bilic) but all this may change as the days go by. Van Basten for example, has already announced he will be departing the Oranje post at the end of the competition, likewise Luis Aragones with Spain. Just how many coaches will still be in their current roles come June 29th when one side proudly lifts the trophy in Vienna?

As at June 24th 2008:

GONE:

Kobi Kuhn - Day 8*
Karel Bruckner - Day 8
Luiz Felipe Scolari - Day 12
Marco Van Basten - Day 14
Josef Hickersberger - Day 17

IN THE BALANCE:

Roberto Donadoni
Raymond Domenech
Otto Rehhagel

SAFE...?

Lars Lagerback
Leo Beenhakker
Slaven Bilic

SECURE:

Luis Aragones
Fatih Terim
Guus Hiddink
Joachim Low
Victor Piturca

(* = Number of days passed since the tournament began)

Who will be next to pack their bags, go a bit loopy and walk out the door or, depending on the circumstances be booted out? Leave a comment, let us know your thoughts...