Kuze to lead Albania to European qualifiers

TIRANA, Nov 2 – Croatian coach Josip Kuze will lead Albania into their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign. Kuze, 56, said: “This is great. I am excited and I cannot wait.”
Kuze took over in May following the departure of Dutch coach Arie Haan, leading Albania through their final three FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Albania earned only a draw and two defeats from those matches.
The draw for the Euro 2012 will be held in Warsaw, Poland next February.
“Josip Kuze will continue to be the coach of Albania for the EURO 2012 qualifiers,” said Albanian Football Association President Armand Duka.
Albania finished second from bottom of Group 1, below Denmark, Portugal, Sweden and Hungary, with only Malta finishing lower.
“We got what we deserved in the toughest group we have ever played in,” said Duka. “The defeats against Hungary and the point we dropped in Malta stopped us taking a step towards our objectives.”
Kuze was recommended to Duka by another Croatian, former Albania coach Otto Barić, with the 77-year-old saying: “The best fit for the Albania job would be me, but given the circumstances, I would go for Josip Kuze.”
Kuze has said he will bring in a new generation of talent in Albania’s next qualifying campaign. The coach conceded that, “ƴhere will be a few changes to the squad selection during the upcoming matches.”