July 28 – The Nati have to look for a new coach. Vladimir Petkovic has left Switzerland for French club Bordeaux after he led the country to the last eight of Euro 2020.
On Tuesday, the Swiss FA (SFV) announced his departure after he spent seven years at the helm of the national team. Petkovic guided Switzerland to the knockout phase of every major finals his team competed in.
“We are sad that Vladimir Petkovic is leaving us, but we are very grateful to him for seven extremely good and successful years that he gave us as national coach,” said SFV president Dominique Blanc.
Last month, Switzerland reached the quarter finals of the European Championship, upsetting world champions France in the round of 16 on penalties after a spectacular 3-3 draw. Petkovic has signed a three-year deal with Bordeaux, who were close to bankruptcy before former Lille owner Gerard Lopez stepped in as the club’s new owner.
“Recruiting such a coach with such an aura and such a resume is also proof of our ambition for this season,” said Lopez. The club’s previous ownership group, US-based King Street, withdrew after 18 months in charge. They no longer wanted to invest in a club burdened by debts.
Petkovic previously coached Young Boys Bern and Lazio Rome.
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