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Greek president urges Rehhagel to stay on as coach
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-07-07 08:33

Greece's president joined the campaign on Tuesday asking German coach Otto Rehhagel to stay on at the helm of the triumphant national team.

"We (Greeks) plead with him to stay in Greece," Costis Stephanopoulos said in response to media speculation that the Germans want Rehhagel, affectionately known as King Otto, to return to Germany as national coach before the 2006 World Cup.

"Mr. Rehhagel is not a Greek, but he has become something more than a Greek," added Stephanopoulos during a reception to honor the 2004 Euro champions.

"I won't ask him, as some journalists did, if he will stay in Greece... that's up to him. I want to tell him that if he stays in Greece he will satisfy us all. And if he leaves, we will love him, we will think of him and always respect him."

Greece's upset success in winning Euro 2004 prompted celebrations by millions of fans across Greece and around the world.

Greece, who started the tournament as 80-1 outsiders, stunned the soccer world on Sunday by defeating hosts Portugal 1-0 in the final in Lisbon, for the country's greatest sporting achievement so far.

On Tuesday, Rehhagel thanked the president and praised the performance of his players. "We are very proud of our team which played very well... and we are proud of our fans," he said.

The Greek president presented the players and their German manager with honorary national pins usually reserved for military heroes. The team was also honoured by Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

The unexpected Greek success provided a much-needed boost to national spirits ahead of the August 13-29 Olympic Games.

Rehhagel, praised as the primary reason for the team's success, was given the key to the city by Athens mayor Dora Bakoyianni on Monday and made an honorary citizen of Athens.

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