Greece’s most successful and longest-serving national soccer team coach Otto Rehhagel has agreed to extend his contract and try to lead the side to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Greek soccer federation announced the news in a written statement on Saturday after its president, Vassilis Gagatsis, held talks with the 69-year-old German who guided Greece to their unlikely Euro 2004 victory four years ago. No further details of Rehhagel’s contract were made public.

The German has been with Greece since September 2001 when his first game was a 5-1 home defeat to Finland. However, Rehhagel’s impact was evident just one month later when Greece almost scuppered England’s plans for qualifying for the 2002 World Cup by holding them to a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

Rehhagel then led the Greek team to just the second European Championships in its history, before shocking the world of soccer by making it to the final of Euro 2004 and beating hosts Portugal 1-0 in the final. Greece reached the upcoming Euro 2008 tournament as group winners.

In total, Rehhagel has been at Greece’s helm for 78 games, winning 43, drawing 16 and losing 19. NICK MALKOUTZIS