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After qualifying for the EURO, Murat Yakin also spoke in detail about his relationship with Captain Granit Xhaka.
Before the game against Kosovo, Murat Yakin stated that he was unaware of the headlines surrounding him and the team after the recent unsatisfactory results. After the 1-1 draw in Basel and with the direct European Championship ticket for the finals in Germany in his bag, the national coach gave up his reluctance.
“It hasn’t been about sport for a long time. This is a personal reckoning from certain media people who probably have the feeling that something is wrong between me and Granit. That is absolutely not the case. We have a great exchange with each other,” said Yakin plainly. The relationship with Granit Xhaka had been a constant topic since the captain’s criticism of the poor training mentality when they moved together in September.
Granit sets a good example and always wants to win. That’s why he’s a blessing for a coach.
Yakin vehemently denied that there were any cockfights between him and Xhaka. «I’m glad that I have such leaders on the pitch. This simplifies the coaching job on the sidelines. Granit sets a good example and always wants to win. That’s why he’s a blessing for a coach.”
Xhaka remains vague
Xhaka had previously made somewhat cryptic comments in the SRF interview about his role on the pitch, which is more offensive in the national team than at Leverkusen. “The coach sees how dominant I am in my position at the club. He is the one who decides. This is not my task. I don’t think my position on the pitch will be a big issue now. But people just see my performance at the club and what position I play there.”
Proud Shaqiri
Yakin and the team are likely to continue to be judged critically despite achieving their main goal. With regard to the European Championships in Germany, a lot will probably depend on the performance on Tuesday in Bucharest. Then it’s all about winning the group against Romania, which was clearly our aim before the campaign.
After the final whistle, the joy of qualifying for a major tournament for the 6th time in a row was mixed with dissatisfaction that it was not possible to keep the lead at the finish line against Kosovo. “It’s really a can of worms at the moment, but we are unbeaten and can look forward to the European Championships,” said Xhaka.
Xherdan Shaqiri, who returned to the starting line-up after his substitute role in the Israel game, emphasized the positive. “We’re just used to always qualifying. It certainly wasn’t the nicest qualification we’ve experienced so far. But we did it again and we can all be proud.” After the conclusion against Romania there will be enough time for a more in-depth analysis.