Briegel takes Albanian challenge

Former German international Hans-Peter Briegel has been named as the new manager of the Albanian national side at a press conference in Tirana.

'I can't promise anything'
The 47-year-old has pledged to lead Albania until the end of their UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying campaign and has promised to do his best to take his new side to the finals of the competition in Portugal. "This is a difficult, but very interesting job," Briegel said. "I can´t promise anything, but we will try everything to qualify for Portugal.

Dossena resignation
Briegel won 72 caps for Germany and follows Giuseppe Dossena as Albanian coach after the former Italian international resigned last November after just four months in charge.

Coaching vintage
Briegel, who was a member of the West Germany team which finished as runners-up in the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cups, coached Turkish sides Besiktas JK and Trabzonspor, and after his being sacked by the latter at the end of the 2001/02 season returned to his former club 1. FC Kaiserslautern, where he joined the board of directors.

Albanian challenge
Albania have never reached the finals of a major international tournament and have earned just one point from their opening two games in qualifying Group 10. A 1-1 draw at home against Switzerland in their opening game was followed by a 4-1 defeat against Russia, who will be their next opponents in Tirana on 29 March.