Albania call time on head coach Kuže
Thursday, October 20, 2011
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Albania are looking for a new national team coach after the expiry of Josip Kuže's contract, with the Croatian conceding: "I think this is the best outcome for both parties."
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The Football Association of Albania (FShF) has announced that Josip Kuže will not be offered a new contract as national team coach.
The 58-year-old former GNK Dinamo Zagreb player and coach had been in charge of Albania since May 2009 but will now step aside following the conclusion of the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign.
FShF president Armand Duka explained the decision, saying: "We have decided not to renew the contract with the coach because he has not fulfilled our objectives." Albania finished fifth in EURO qualifying Group D with two wins from ten games. Kuže, who had replaced Arie Haan at the helm, said: "I am not surprised. I think this is the best outcome for both parties."
Kuže, whose coaching career has taken him to Australia, Germany and Japan as well as his native Croatia, came to the job following brief spells leading the Rwanda national team and Japanese J. League side JEF United Chiba. He was out of action for several games in 2010 after suffering a stroke.
