Otto Rehhagel angry over magazine claim
Greek national soccer team manager Otto Rehhagel angrily dismissed a report by World Soccer magazine last week that he has decided to quit Greece after the 2010 World Cup. The German coach, who led Greece to the Euro 2004 triumph and qualification to the South Africa finals next summer, reportedly said that he has not spoken to the magazine. «I have not made any statements to any magazine. It is obvious they have made it all up,» he said, according to reports. Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) President Sofoklis Pilavios added that once the World Cup is over, which is also when Rehhagel’s current contract expires, the two sides will discuss the future. Meanwhile, Rehhagel has reportedly contracted a common cold and is being treated at a hospital in Germany, following initial fears that he may be ailing from swine flu. He is likely to be fit to join the national team’s mission to South Africa for the draw of the group stage of the World Cup that is scheduled for this Friday, December 4. Greece will be in the second pot of teams, which consists of the non-seeded European sides that have reached the finals of soccer’s top event. This means that Greece can at least be sure it will avoid major opponents such as the Netherlands and Portugal. Basinas not upset Euro-2004 winner Angelos Basinas, who still belongs to Portsmouth, stated in an interview on Saturday that he has no hard feelings about being left out of the Greece squad. «I knew that at one point I would not be part of it. I don’t consider it bad or insulting that the manager has not invited me for the last few games, as it would happen at some point,» said Basinas. Asked about the criticism on the quality of Greece’s performances, Basinas was emphatic: «The national team’s game may not be spectacular but it really has substance,» he stated. When asked whether he would consider his return to club soccer in Greece, Basinas said it is an option but his priority is to remain abroad as he has «two more years of good soccer in my feet.» He went on to express his wish that he would end his career at Mallorca, in Spain.
