Skibbe seeks to preserve Rehhagel’s legacy
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Greece is widely known as the birthplace of philosophy. In the centuries before the birth of Christ, it was the country where Aristotle, Plato and Socrates created schools of thought that have endured throughout the ages. A thousand years earlier still, the Greeks invented a ball game with a similarly lasting impact. Known as Episkyros or Phaininda, it served as a forerunner for the most popular sport of modern times: football.
Nevertheless, while these southern European thinkers became renowned across the globe, Greek footballing success has been far harder to come by. The country’s greatest triumph came 12 years ago when the Ethniki snatched the UEFA EURO title against the odds. Their success in Portugal was masterminded by German Otto Rehhagel, who immortalised himself among the nation’s football fans with nuggets of wisdom such as: “The Greeks invented democracy; I’ve introduced democratic dictatorship”, or: “In the past they all did as they pleased. Now they all do what they can.”
In the five years since Rehakles – as the now 77-year-old was dubbed after guiding Greece to European glory – stepped down from the national team hotseat in 2010, several coaches have come and gone from the shores of the Aegean Sea. In October 2015 the Hellenic Football Association once again selected a German, Michael Skibbe, to steer their Piratiko or ‘Pirate Ship’.
In an interview with FIFA.com, the newly appointed head coach explained that he is often stopped on the street and asked about his famous compatriot, as “Rehhagel guaranteed good football from the Greece national team for years. That was certainly a reason, if not the main reason, why the association appointed another German coach.” Skibbe added: “The team have their strengths and weaknesses as they have done for the past two years. Although we’re working hard on defence and are solid at the back, there’s still scope to improve our build-up play and creativity going forward.”
"I believe in good discipline and strong tactical awareness on the pitch. That was the foundation for Greece’s strongest years in the 2000s."
Michael Skibbe
There is no doubt that the man who served as co-head coach of Germany between 2000 and 2004 has plenty of work to do – and not just when it comes to imparting wisdom. Greece will be reduced to onlookers when the continent’s biggest teams battle it out at this summer’s UEFA EURO 2016 after finishing last in their qualifying group, while their current FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking position of 41st is their lowest in over a decade. “On the one hand, it’s a shame for Greece that the team aren’t going to France. On the other hand, they probably wouldn’t have gone looking for a new coach if they’d made it to the EUROs. It’s great for me as it means I can calmly prepare the team for the start of World Cup qualification in September.”
After featuring at the last two FIFA World Cups, the Ethniki must now face Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia and Cyprus in their bid to claim a ticket to the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ - a target Skibbe believes is achievable. “Belgium are certainly favourites; they’ve made terrific progress over the past few years and can boast quick, top-quality footballers who play for several of the world’s leading clubs,” he explained. “That said, we want to take points from them all the same. Our main aim, however, is to outperform Bosnia and Herzegovina or at least the other two teams, so that we can finish no lower than second in the group. After a poor European qualifying campaign, we want to perform better on the road to Russia and book our place at the finals. But to be completely honest, the EURO 2004 title was a unique and exceptional triumph, much like Denmark's in 1992.”
Skibbe knows what he is talking about, having spent almost three decades observing the beautiful game from the touchline. Forced to hang up his boots through injury at the age of 22, he began his coaching career in the youth ranks of his hometown club Schalke before accepting posts in Germany, Switzerland and Turkey. He also paired up with Rudi Voller to guide his homeland to second place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
“I believe in good discipline and strong tactical awareness on the pitch,” Skibbe said. “That was the foundation for Greece’s strongest years in the 2000s and their EURO win, and that’s what we want to return to. The players should wear their country’s colours with dignity and dedication.” This approach will be put to the test for the first time against Montenegro and Iceland in March.
The palpable sense of optimism in Greece extends beyond the world of football, with Skibbe perhaps bringing a little German magic back to this corner of the Mediterranean. Nevertheless, among all these innovations and changes, the only thing that counts is the philosophical concept expressed by Rehhagel years earlier: “Modern football is whatever wins games.”