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Euro 2012 Photos

Euro 2012: The Team Managers

May 20, 2012 16:36

16 teams will battle it out for supremacy in Europe's top international football tournament. Some start as favourites while others rank outsiders but a lot will depend on how these men rally their teams when it matters. A look at the team managers at the Euro 2012.

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16 teams will battle it out for supremacy in Europe's top international football tournament. Some start as favourites while others rank outsiders but a lot will depend on how these men rally their teams when it matters. A look at the team managers at the Euro 2012.
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Poland - Franciszek Smuda: The strict disciplinarian has adopted some stringent policies to keep his players in check, a move that hasn't won him many fans in the players' dressing room. Smuda, who was linked with the Poland's manager's job for long, took the post in 2009 after their failure to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa. Smuda's record in friendlies ahead of the tournament has been mixed and he has repeatedly said he will quit after the tournament if Poland fail to make an impact. Put in group A with Greece, Russia and Czech Republic, Poland couldn't have asked for a more open group to fancy their chances. (AP Image)
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Greece - Fernando Santos: The Portuguese has named a young squad to try and make a mark at the competition. Greece have been impressive in the run up to the tournament topping their qualifying group unbeaten, winning seven of their 10 matches and pushing Croatia to the playoffs. Santos feels that all four teams in their group have a chance to make it into the last eight and it isn't just optimism talking. With hosts Poland, Czech Republic and 2008 semi-finalists Russia for company, this really is an open group. Greece, the shock Euro 2004 champions, are currently ranked 14th in the world. (AP Image)
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Russia - Dick Advocaat: The Dutchman has already announced his departure from the Russian job to take over as the manager of club side PSV Eindhoven after the tournament. Advocaat will now look to finish on a high. Advocaat's side began their qualifying campaign for the Euro 2012 with a shock home defeat to Slovakia, but at the end managed to win the group and secure automatic qualification. He is no stranger to success having taken the Dutch to the 1994 World Cup quarters and 2004 Euro semi-finals. (AP Image)
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Czech Republic - Michal Bilek: Bilek took over the Czechs in October 2009 after the team failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. They had to battle through playoffs to enter the main tournament, having been in the same group as Spain, and have a tricky group in Euro 2012 but will still fancy their chances of reaching the knockout stage. There are paired with Greece, Poland and Russia. Unlike in 2008, when only two players plied their trade in the Czech league, Bilek's team is expected to largely rely on men playing in the Czech League. (AP Image)
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Netherlands - Bert van Marwijk: He oversaw the Dutch teams's successful run till the final of the 2010 World Cup but received criticism for the rough football they displayed in the final. Van Marwijk again has a talented squad at his disposal and needs to make the best of it. His main task will be to use talents like Robin van Persie, Klaas-Jan Hutelaar and the injury prone Arjen Robben effectively. If done so the team can easily have its name on the trophy. (AP Image)
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Denmark - Morten Olsen: In a time of instant replacements Olsen has been one of the longest serving coaches, having been with Denmark since 2000. He helped the Danes reach the knockout stage of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004. He is the only person ever in football to achieve 100 national matches as player as well as coach. His team surprised Portugal 2-1 in the last match of qualifying and finished above them in their group. Now they are pitted with the same team alongside Germany and the Netherlands so Olsen clearly has his task cut out. (AP Image)
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Germany - Joachim Loew: Joachim Loew burst into the limelight as Jurgen Klinsmann's assistant at the 2006 World Cup. He was seen as the tactical genius behind the scenes as Germany thrilled their fans with a new brand of attacking football. He continued that philosophy two years later in Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and showed he is not afraid to make a tough decision by dropping Michael Ballack for Euro 2012 qualification in order to bring through younger talent which has blossomed under his tutelage. (AP Image)
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Portugal - Paulo Bento: He took over as the Portuguese coach in 2010, just six years after retiring as a player. He replaced Carlos Queiroz in the hot seat after Portugal secured a lone point in their first two qualification games. The team then notched up five straight victories under him and significantly their key player Ronaldo returned to form. Bento has admitted it will be a big ask at Euro 2012 to get Portugal beyond the group stage — a hurdle it has never before failed to clear - given that they are in the group of death with the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. (AP Image)
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Spain - Vicente del Bosque: A coach each of his conterpart must envy for the sheer talent he has at his disposal. But that should take away nothing from the effect he has had on the team. He has been credited by players for bringing a sense of serenity within the squad. He succeeded Luis Aragones after Euro 2008 and went on to lead his side to the 2010 World Cup trophy. Del Bosque is now looking to fill his trophy cabinet with the only major accolade missing in an accomplished coaching career. Winning the Euro 2012 title in Poland and Ukraine could place the unassuming 61-year-old Spaniard among the all-time greats. (AP Image)
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Italy - Cesare Prandelli: After five successful years with Fiorentina, Cesare Prandelli agreed to replace Marcello Lippi after Italy's disastrous display at the 2010 World Cup. Prandelli quickly recalled Antonio Cassano, who was consistently ignored by Lippi, and has also put his faith in younger players such as Riccardo Montolivo and Sebastian Giovinco. His campaign in Poland will start in a dramatic manner as the Azzurris face Spain. In Group C, the others who will have to be vanquished are Ireland and Croatia. (AP Image)
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Republic of Ireland - Giovanni Trapattoni: His tactics may not please the purists, but they have certainly proved effective. After watching his side clinch qualification, the wily Italian suggested his side could emulate Greece's surprise victory at Euro 2004. It may have been a tongue-in-cheek remark, but 'Trap' is certainly overdue some luck at a major international tournament. His Italy side was controversially eliminated by South Korea at the 2002 World Cup, and went out at the group stage at Euro 2004 despite collecting five points. (AP Image)
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Croatia - Slaven Bilic: A superb centre-back who was influential in helping Croatia finish a shock third at the 1998 World Cup in France, the former West Ham and Everton player has proved adept as a leader off the field too. He took over as national coach in 2006 and the following year he became a national hero when Croatia claimed a famous 3-2 win at Wembley to deny England a place at Euro 2008 where he took them to the last eight. And even though Croatia failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, his services remain coveted. It, although, will be Bilic's last tournament in charge of the Croatian team as he has announced his decision to step down from the post after Euro 2012. (AP Image)
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Ukraine - Oleg Blokhin: The first Ukrainian player ever to win the Ballon d'Or, Blokhin had previously led his country from 2003 to 2007, helping them reach the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup. Being the co-host Ukraine didn't have to slug it out to make the finals but their group will give them plenty to fight. England, France and Sweden stand in their way and Blokhin has to ensure they don't become the punching bag for other teams. Blokhin's contract was extended early this year and he will remain with Ukraine even after the Euro 2012 competition and also be in charge for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. (AP Image)
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Sweden - Erik Hamren: He has proved his worth after taking over from Lars Lagerback when Sweden failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. However, his big problem is the lack of top quality in his squad. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the only member of the Sweden squad playing for a top-level European club these days. Ibra led Sweden with five goals in eight games in qualifying ensuring their entry into the tournament without having to go through the playoffs. For group opponents England, France and Ukraine, the plan is simple: Stop Ibrahimovic, and they'll probably stop Sweden as well. (AP Image)
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France - Laurent Blanc: Blanc inherited a France team in turmoil. World Cup finalists in 2006, they were dismal at Euro 2008 and shambolic in South Africa, where the squad's mutinous actions prompted a government inquiry. Blanc, who as a player earned the nickname "Le Président" thanks to his leadership skills, was the perfect choice to sort out the mess. The former Bordeaux boss lost his first two games in charge, but since then they have been back to their old self. (AFP PHOTO)
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England - Roy Hodgson: The manager who will probably be under the greatest scrutiny. Preferred over the firm favourite Harry Redknapp of Tottenham, Hodgson now has to justify the faith placed in him by FA. He has already taken two big decisions since replacing Fabio Capello on May 1 - just about a month before the big tournament - he left out veteran defender Rio Ferdinand from the squad and named Steven Gerrard, who he has previously worked with at Liverpool, as the captain. Now can the latest change in the hot seat bring a change to the fortunes of the perennial underachievers England is a million dollar question that will be answered come Euro 2012. (AP Image)

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