Sušić sticks with Bosnia and Herzegovina

Safet Sušić has signed a new two-year contract to coach Bosnia and Herzegovina through their UEFA EURO 2016 campaign, nine days after his previous deal expired.

Sušić, 59, was handed his new deal after the Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Federation (NFSBiH) executive board evaluated the coach's report from the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the first final tournament at which the nation had competed since independence. In 45 matches at the helm since taking over in 2009, Sušić has won 22 and drawn eight, and having reached the UEFA EURO 2012 play-offs they went one better this time, though exited in the group stage after losing to Argentina and Nigeria before defeating Iran.

"I gained the support of members of the executive board, and we decided to continue our cooperation," said Sušić, who had hinted at quitting after the Nigeria loss before reconsidering following the Iran game. "I've said previously that it would be hard to leave this team, and that moment is yet to come. We will do our best qualify for EURO 2016, and to achieve a better result than the one in Brazil."

Bosnia and Herzegovina begin their qualification campaign at home to Cyprus on 9 September, with Wales, Belgium, Israel and Andorra also in Group B. "Despite being tipped to qualify, it won't be easy at all," said former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Sušić.

"We play against Cyprus first and then have three very tough matches against Wales, Belgium and Israel. We have to cautiously prepare for those matches and win the sufficient number of points."