SFV boss Blanc about the Nati decision: “We are absolutely sure that this is the best solution”

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The SFV sent out the communiqué on Tuesday at 3:08 PM. The content is not very explosive and, given the developments of the past few days, does not come as a complete surprise: Murat Yakin (49) remains national coach despite the botched qualification. He will lead Switzerland to the European Championships in Germany (from June 14) and can fulfill his contract.

The central government had previously met and taken this fundamental decision. “It was a clear decision by the central board that we wanted to support Murat and stand behind him,” SFV boss Dominique Blanc (72) told Blick. “We are convinced that this is the best solution for the national team. We want stability and continuity.”

If you interpret the latest statements of the SFV exponents, it becomes clear: the SFV boss has had the upper hand internally. While Nati director Pierluigi Tami (62) publicly counted Yakin out after the 1-0 defeat in Bucharest, Blanc had already supported the Nati coach several times before the last meeting, in which the Nati was anything but shrouded in glory. The Vaudois promised that if Yakin qualified, he would lead the team to the European Championships. He is now keeping this promise. But perhaps there was also a lack of a suitable alternative to throw Yakin out the door.

Provide clarity – as quickly as possible

After the major analysis for December was announced last week, the urgency of Yakin’s appointment has increased in recent days. “We wanted to create clarity,” says Blanc. “Also out of respect for Murat.” Besides, everything was on the table. “We got the analysis we asked for.”

The Nati coach has apparently convinced the majority of those in charge to stick with him – despite his miserable record. The last seven games against third and fourth division opponents Romania, Israel, Belarus, Kosovo and Andorra yielded a meager eight points. Ultimately, the national team had to rely on Romania’s help to ensure it didn’t become an all-or-nothing match in Bucharest.

The declining performance and public arguments within the team were also not enough of a warning sign to fire a national coach for the first time despite achieving qualification. “We know that difficult moments are behind us, we have recognized that,” said Blanc. But the declining performance curve is no drama. ‘We know why. And we know what we have to do.” He does not see the major discussions in public, on fan forums and at the regular tables as negative: “That shows how great the expectations are and that the national team is very popular with the fans. “

The future after the European Championship is uncertain

With further analyzes and adjustments within the staff, the foundation must now be laid by Christmas so that the national team can get back on track in the new year. The long-term future of the SFV’s most important figurehead will only be decided after the European Championship. Then the following classification follows. It will then be determined whether Yakin is the right national coach in the long term. It stands to reason that discussions about him could arise again sooner – even if Blanc says they “don’t want any speculation or polemics” in the run-up to the European Championship.

But that is something of the future. The decision for the time being is: Yakin will board a plane to Hamburg on Saturday, where the European Championship draw will take place in the evening at the Elbphilharmonie. Then it will become clear who the national team will face in the group stage this summer. Despite the poor qualifications, expectations within the association remain high, as the national team has always qualified for the knockout phase in the last five tournaments. “We want to reach the eighth finals,” says Blanc resolutely. “At least in the round of 16.” And that with Murat Yakin as coach.

Source : Blick