Slovakia sack Weiss after Euro failure

Soccer: Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss, who led the team to the 2010 World Cup, agreed with the Slovak Football Association (…

Soccer:Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss, who led the team to the 2010 World Cup, agreed with the Slovak Football Association (SFZ) to resign today in the wake of the team's failure to reach the finals of Euro 2012.

Slovakia finished in fourth spot in Group B behind Russia, the Republic of Ireland and Armenia, winning just four of their 10 group games. They drew both games with Giovanni Trapattoni’s side during the campaign.

“Failure to qualify is the simple reason why we came to an agreement about ending his tenure. If the team had better results, we would have no reason to change,” said SFZ president Jan Kovacik, before adding: “To be honest, I think he will come back one day.”

Kovacik said it had not yet been decided who would take over as national coach.

Weiss, 47, will continue his job as coach of Slovan Bratislava.

“We will remember fantastic days during the World Cup finals in South Africa forever,” said Slovakian captain Marek Hamsik. “Coach Weiss knew how to squeeze the maximum possible out of us, he has done everything in his powers for the national team.”

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