Murat Yakin named new Switzerland coach
Murat Yakin was appointed new boss of the Swiss national football team on Monday with an eye on greater success after their impressive run to the Euro 2020 quarter-finals.
Yakin, 46, takes over from Vladimir Petkovic, who stepped down after seven years in charge of the “Nati” to take over at French Ligue 1 team Bordeaux.
Yakin, who played 49 times for Switzerland, leaves his post as the manager of Swiss second-tier side Schaffhausen.
“Murat Yakin is the new coach of the Nati,” the Swiss Football Association (SFA) announced.
“Welcome back, Murat!”
Yakin’s contract runs until the end of the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with an option for an extension.
“The Nati was already an affair of the heart for me as a player. It is a great honour and a pleasure for me to be able to represent our country as a coach,” he said.
“I have no doubts that we will qualify for the World Cup with this great team and that we will celebrate further successes.” Petkovic had been in charge of the national team since 2014.
Under his leadership, Switzerland pulled off one of their best-ever performances at a major international tournament, reaching the European Championships quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Spain on penalties in Saint Petersburg on July 2.
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Along the way, Switzerland knocked out reigning world champions France in the last 16, triggering wild celebrations throughout the country.
Previously, Switzerland’s best international performances had been reaching the World Cup quarter-finals in 1934, 1938 and 1954.