Co-hosts Switzerland may well have been eliminated from Euro 2008, but there has been plenty of emotion focused on the retirement of their long-serving coach Kobi Kuhn. Sunday’s exit from the competition marked the end of Kuhn’s 7 year spell as national team coach, during which time he became the most successful Swiss national coach in history as he led them to three consecutive major tournaments.

Kuhn had a very successful playing career for the Swiss national team winning 63 caps. Following his retirement, he worked with the U-21 team before replacing Argentine Enzo Trossero as the head coach in 2001.

Prior to Euro 2008 there was a view within Switzerland that the players may be able to win the tournament for their manager, but unfortunately the team were not able to do this. The 2-0 victory over an under strength Portugal , although academic, went someway though to alleviating the disappointment. It was the first time that Switzerland had won a game at a European Championship.

Euro 2008 has been an emotional time for Kuhn. On the eve of the first game, it emerged that his wife had been taken ill after an epileptic attack and had been induced into a coma. The close relationship that Kuhn experienced with his players was demonstrated during this time as many of them openly expressed their support.

At the climax of Kuhn’s professional management career, the Switzerland players revealed a large banner on the pitch at the end of Sunday’s game with the words “Merci Koebi”. This was a visual demonstration of the affection felt for Kuhn who said afterwards that he had no knowledge of the player’s plans beforehand.

An emotional Kuhn said “I was very surprised; I didn't know anything about the banner they presented. Many of the players have played with me for many years so I was very moved to receive this expression of gratitude”.

The Swiss FA already previously announced that Kuhn’s successor will be the former Bayern Munich coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld.