Jakob Kuhn may be stepping down as Switzerland coach after UEFA EURO 2008™ but banish any thoughts of a tired general holding on for one last march. As idealistic as ever, the popular tactician will go into this summer's tournament on home soil with all the enthusiasm of a wide-eyed youngster falling in love with the game for the first time.
'Incredible fun'
At 64 years of age, 'Köbi' claims his wife finally convinced him to call it a day, but whatever happens between 7 and 29 June, he will go down as one of his country's most successful coaches. "It's incredible fun," he said, perhaps with a hint of regret that his seven-year stint is coming to a close. "I only thought about becoming a coach or manager after my playing career ended and then I realised how much fun it is. It means so much to pass on your experience to talented but hungry young players who want to learn. Even today, I still look forward to things like a child and want to be with the players again and again."
Youth development
Plucked from the Under-21 set-up, Kuhn's aptitude for developing fresh talent is practically his calling card. He injected much-needed new blood after replacing Argentinian Enzo Trossero in June 2001 and was cited for his work with youngsters upon being named Swiss of the Year in 2006. His success in steering his charges to the FIFA World Cup in Germany no doubt helped that decision too, and together they advanced unbeaten to the knockout stage, only to bow out on penalties to Ukraine. Two years previously, the former FC Zürich midfielder's gifted troops also left a strong impression at UEFA EURO 2004™, justifying the Swiss Football Association's choice to make him only the second homegrown national team-boss since 1989.
Player freedom
"The experience gained from those tournaments is vital," he said. "I know I'd make different decisions today than I did two years ago at the World Cup. That doesn't mean they'd be spectacularly different – it could just be little things." On the bigger issues, Kuhn is far less likely to abandon his principles, with his list of convictions topped by a firm belief in player freedom. "I always say that players need some freedom. This applies equally to their daily lives, because if we expect them to play freely on the pitch and suddenly do something unexpected – and not operate like machines, but instead be free and creative – then this means they need freedom in their everyday lives as well."
Attacking football
Some critics have questioned Kuhn's laissez-faire approach in the light of recent friendly results – especially the 4-0 reverse at home to Germany in March – but it is a philosophy with roots in his playing days, when he incurred the wrath of Switzerland's coaches for breaking a curfew during the 1966 World Cup. Likewise, it would take more than a string of defeats for him to betray his attacking instincts. "I want to leave my mark on our football," he said. "We aren't a team that will play legal but unattractive – maybe even destructive – football. We can't play like that. We have to try to play optimistic football that involves getting forward, without of course forgetting that it's important we defend well."
'Fantastic games'
That note of caution is probably unfounded considering the Swiss exited the last World Cup without conceding in open play, yet Kuhn is expecting defences to be sorely tested in Group A next month, with Portugal, Turkey and the Czech Republic waiting in the wings. "What I think all the teams have in common, including Switzerland, is that we want to play good football and we can play good football," he said. "We will see some fantastic games. I think it's an attractive group."
Home advantage
It is also a difficult group, meaning the co-hosts' trainer will be squeezing every last benefit out of their status as organisers. "Yes, of course there is home advantage," explained Kuhn. "This can also come from little things, like the players feeling at home. There will be more Swiss fans here, I hope, and the players will have their pride and ambitions to play for. There is certainly a home advantage and we have to try take advantage of every little nuance of it."
Multicultural country
Ever the footballing romantic, though, Kuhn understands that local passions will also be stirred by several of his side's rivals. "I go shopping and I notice everyone is looking forward to the tournament, whether they are little children from kindergarten or grandmothers. There's great expectation and not just for the national team, but for the whole event. There should be a brilliant atmosphere throughout the country. I mean, we have plenty of Italians, Germans, French and Spanish here in Switzerland, so everyone will have something to celebrate."
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