The Swiss Football Association (SFA) continues to back Murat Yakin and is taking the former Bundesliga professional to the European Championships in Germany as national coach
Murat Yakin remains Swiss national team coach. The 49-year-old Basel native will fulfill his contract, which is valid until the summer of 2024, and will therefore be in charge of the “Nati” at the European Championship in Germany. This was announced by the SFA in a press release on Tuesday afternoon, putting an end to all discussions surrounding this personnel matter.
“Even though we drew four times and lost once in the last qualifying matches, Murat Yakin enjoys our full confidence. He has our support in all areas so that he can take part in the European Championship in Germany with the best possible team and staff,” said SFA President Dominique Blanc.
Yakin had “achieved all contractually agreed goals”, he added. After qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, reaching the round of 16 of the World Cup and staying in Group A of the UEFA Nations League, the most recent goal was to qualify for the 2024 European Championship in Germany.
Massive criticism of the coach
Despite the successes, gloom prevails in Switzerland. Yakin has been heavily criticized for failing to develop the team. The results in the weak qualifying group speak for themselves. There is talk about the poor relationship between Yakin and captain Granit Xhaka and that the coach has lost the dressing room.
“Murat has shown us concrete solutions on how he wants to take the team and the staff forward,” explained national team director Pierluigi Tami four days before the draw for the European Championship groups (Saturday, 6pm, in Hamburg). “He has convinced us that he is still the right man for the job of national team coach.” The situation will be reassessed after the European Championship.
Yakin himself said: “In the coming days and weeks, we will take a close look at all areas in which we can improve. We want to set the course for the future.” The 49-year-old took over from Vladimir Petkovic in the fall of 2021. Next year’s European Championship will be Yakin’s second major tournament as Switzerland coach after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
